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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.
November 10, 2023
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PGR Newsletter
Our newsletters will go out on December 1 and December 15 through the Holiday season. Please send any articles by Tuesday at 5 pm of those weeks.
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November 11th Presbytery Assembly
Join us from 10:00-2:00 for our November presbytery meeting. We will approve new leadership for 2024, hear about the work of our committees and celebrate Spirit Sightings in our churches. This is a hybrid meeting, so you can join in via Zoom or in person at Faith United Presbyterian Church in Monmouth.
All attendees must register ahead of time at this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMscu-qqjktGtViRBjoCqUpLWexzR71AQix
The date has passed for those attending in person to order lunch.
All reports have been posted online here.
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Register for our Specially-Called Presbytery Assembly on November 18th
Our November Assembly is scheduled for the same time as the PC(USA)'s Moderator Training. Since Moderator-Elect Rev. Frosty Krummel can't be in two places at once, the installation service for Presbytery Moderator and Moderator-Elect will be at 9 am on Saturday, November 18th. At this meeting we will also vote on GA commissioners if needed. Join us for a brief all-online service celebrating our 2024 leaders' commitment to service within the presbytery.
Please register for this specially-called presbytery meeting here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAudu6gpzsiE9WFhKlxFzIIy94i3ZGFA6dw
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Annual Enrollment for 2024 Benefits
The deadline for the Board of Pensions open enrollment process is November 10, 2023.
As the Board of Pensions prepares a new website, Benefits Connect will be unavailable from November 22, 2023 to early January 2024.
We ask you to take the following actions:
- Complete as many year-end transactions as possible on Benefits Connect before November 22.
- Download a spreadsheet of your employees’ benefits elections and contributions for 2024 from Benefits Connect between November 19 and November 21.
- Retain the employee benefits selection spreadsheet for 2023 by downloading it from Benefits Connect before November 22.
- Prepare for BoardLink to be sunset at the end of the year by downloading any historical billing information you’d like to retain by December 31.
Questions about the features of any benefit, how to use the Benefits Connect website, or the annual enrollment process should be directed to the Board of Pensions at (800) 773-7752 between 8:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Questions about the specific benefits to an employee or the costs should be directed to your employer.
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Presbytery Closures for the Holidays
PGR offices will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and the day after (Nov. 23-24, 2023) and for Christmas, beginning Friday, Dec. 22, 2023, through Monday, Jan. 1, 2024.
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Electronic Giving Is Now Available
The Presbytery of Great Rivers can now accept electronic payments from individuals for Assembly offerings, lunches, and Presbytery Mission Giving. There will be a QR code for payments in the November 11 assembly packet and on the screen during the meeting.
There is a $500 limit for online giving. Churches should still issue checks or have payment sent from their online bank service for per capita and mission giving.
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Oasis Grants for Pastors
The Synod of Lincoln Trails announces Oasis grants for pastors. These grants are to be used for something that will restore your soul and regenerate your spirit. Oasis grants offer an opportunity for respite in the wilderness, so ask yourself: what would spark joy in your life this season? Any pastors in active ministry (Ministers of Word and Sacrament, Commissioned Ruling Elders, chaplains, those in validated ministries), either full-time or part-time, are eligible and encouraged to apply by November 15. The grants of up to $1,500 are to be used for activities and purchases that will support wholeness and wellbeing (and not for continuing education or sabbatical funds). Take an art class, buy that bike they’ve been longing for, or get away and do something fun for a couple days. Access the Oasis grant application here: https://lincolntrails.org/oasis-a-stop-in-the-wilderness/
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From the Lead Presbyter
As people who love Jesus, we are called to live in the tension between hope and heartbreak. We hope in God’s promises of justice and peace. We hope in a kin-dom where all of God’s creatures are nourished, housed, loved, and safe. We hope in God’s steadfast love and abundant grace, in forgiveness, in the peace of the divine presence, in the incarnation of Jesus, in the promise of new life.
And most of us, if we are paying attention, are heartbroken routinely—by the October attack on Israel; the massive retaliation against the Palestinian people; the mass shooting in Lewistown, Maine two weeks ago, as well as the other 564 mass shootings in the US so far this year; the ongoing war in Ukraine; the climate crisis; and the threats to our own democracy.
Heartbreak is not a sign of our brokenness; it is evidence of our humanity and our faith. In his book Consolations, David Whyte describes heartbreak as “unpreventable; the natural outcome of caring for people and things over which we have no control, of holding in our affections those who inevitably move beyond our line of sight. . . . Heartbreak is the beautifully helpless side of love and affection.”
It is so tempting to turn our eyes and hearts away from suffering, to close our ears to the cries of people who are treated unjustly, and to ignore their stories because they are not ours. Except they are our stories—even if their pain is not happening to us directly. Because they are God’s people, they are our kin.
Jesus deliberately chose to enter into the pain and suffering of the world. And we are called to do the same—to listen to the stories, lament, educate ourselves, seek understanding, pray, speak out with compassion, act for peace and justice in ways that are consistent with our faith, resist the temptation to hate.
Friends, be kind to yourselves these days when the sounds of sorrow threaten to drown out all else. Step away when you must. Find a trusted conversation partner. Open your eyes to the goodness and beauty that surround you. Learn and grow and love more. And hope, for your sake and the world’s.
Grace and peace,
Ann
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Clerk's Corner
Thank you so much for your wonderful dedication and participation in the Session Record Reviews. I appreciate it so much and thank you to First, Normal; New Windsor, New Windsor; First, Springfield; First, Carthage; First, Macomb; and Faith United, Monmouth for hosting the reviews!
If you have not had your minutes reviewed, please feel free to reach out to me to make arrangements.
In middle to late December, clerks will be receiving information regarding the annual statistical reports along with other items asked for by the presbytery. These will arrive through email for all congregations unless the clerk doesn’t have email. If the clerk has changed since last year and you haven’t notified the presbytery or myself, please let me know asap! Thank you! pastorebailey@gmail.com
A report about my personal/professional life. I have recently started as an intern therapist at Evergreen Counseling in Bloomington, IL. Because of this, I will need to be more concrete about my office hours. My current office hours are Monday through Thursday 7:30-2:30. I won’t be able to respond to non-emergency emails, texts, and calls outside of those hours. If you have an emergency, please let me know. Thank you for understanding.
Rev. Elissa Bailey
Presbytery of Great Rivers Stated Clerk
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Prayers of the Presbytery
Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, place the vision of your just and peaceable commonwealth in our hearts, that we might pray and act with faithful integrity. Equip our hands with the tools of transformative love. Inspire our minds with creative responses to the myriad challenges inundating social, cultural and religious bodies around the world. Fill us with hope that we might press on toward goodness, harmony and compassion. Amen.
Prayer from: Mission Yearbook of Prayer
We pray today for:
- Rev. William Mitchell, pastor of Federated Church, Carlinville
- Bobbie Furr, spouse of Rev. Wayne Furr, College Avenue Presbyterian Church, Aledo
- Terry Moore, RE, Sugar Tree Grove Church, and spouse of CLP Pam Moore
- Rev. Debra Avery (Peoria, United Presbyterian Church)
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Welcome to the Presbytery of Great Rivers
Rev. Barry Wynveen is the transitional pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Geneseo. A recently retired pastor from the Reformed Church of America (RCA), he has served churches in Little Rock, Iowa; Chatham, Ontario, Canada; Princeton, Indiana; Des Moines; New Jersey, South Dakota, and Dolton, Illinois. Barry earned a Master of Theology from the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago and his MDiv from Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan. He and his wife, Margot, have been married 43 years. They have four adult children.
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What’s Happening at Churches Around the Presbytery of Great Rivers?
The Korean Presbyterian Church in Edwards celebrated their 40th anniversary in October.
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Church Leadership Connection (CLC)
We continue to receive regular updates from CLC Staff about the transition to the current CLC system (sometimes called CLC.2). While we have put some of the basic forms on the COM portion of the PGR website for you, please go right to oga.pcusa.org/section/mid-council-ministries/clc/ for all the most up to date CLC resources. Guides and videos continue to be developed and added on a routine basis there. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at greatriverscom@gmail.com or to the CLC Staff with questions. We are glad to support churches and pastors with this major transition.
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New Terms of Call and Temporary Contract Forms on Website
The two forms for 2024, for called and installed pastors and Temporary relationships (Temporary and Stated Supply, CPs and Transitional Pastors), are on the Presbytery website. Please look for FORMS, then choose COM Forms. They are at the top of the page. Please note that the Book of Order change about paid Family Leave went into effect on 7/9/2023. All called and installed ministers receive this leave effective that date. Any questions? Please email greatriverscom@gmail.com
The Ministry Partners for each congregation are also found on the same page, at the top right. Due to the resignation of Joel Jackle-Hugh, please contact either Rev. Ann Schwartz (aschwartz@greatriverspby.org) or Laura Reason (greatriverscom@gmail.com) if he was your ministry partner. Thank you!
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From Your Finance Team
Churches,
We now have 49 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. We've still been receiving 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 was sent to the mailing address we have for your church. Packets were 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.
We’ve already had 3 churches pay their 2024 per capita in full. Thank you to Clayton, Divernon, & Reynolds – Hamlet Perryton!
Looking ahead as we race towards the fiscal end of 2023 -Hold on it’s coming fast 😲 Please be sure to cut & mail your check to PGR by Thurs 12/21/2023. The PGR offices will be closed beginning Fri 12/22/23 thru Mon 1/1/24. Mail received during this will be credited to 2023 giving. Anything received afterwards will show on your 2024 statements -- However, it can be applied against 2023 remaining balances
Thanks,
Sabrina McGrath - Bookkeeper
Bill Strawbridge - Treasurer
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Please click on the blocks below to follow the links: | |
Opportunities for Church Leaders | |
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The Matthew 25 Summit
The Matthew 25 Summit will bring mid-councils, churches, and individuals together to explore this vision. What does it mean to eradicate poverty; how can we begin dismantling systemic racism; how will we know if we are building a vital congregation? Featuring innovative speakers, thriving ministries, transformative workshops, and space to imagine what’s next!
Join us in Atlanta, GA, January 16-18, 2024, for the Matthew 25 Summit!
Learn more here: https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/matthew-25-summit-an-invitation-to-innovation/?fbclid=IwAR0Fg81tMxcvsKAslOhM7kxfdZmIj4uAwACNYzkrBbgceO_IzCp7hAQRtos
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Register Now for 2024 APCE
The annual gathering of the Association of Partners in Christian Education (APCE) will be in St. Louis, January 24-27, 2024. This year’s theme is “Come All Who Are Thirsty.” Pastors, professional and volunteer church educators, and seminary students can choose between the in-person or hybrid format. Click here for more information or to reserve your space https://apcenet.org/2024-annual-event/.
Thanks to the partnership between the Christian Formation Office in the PC(USA), Global Language Resources, and APCE, there is no cost to participate in AE Online in Spanish.
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Presbyterian School of Christian Education
Presbyterians Supporting Christian Education (PSCE) is a program of Union Presbyterian Seminary. The program provides collegial, personal, and professional support for those engaged in ministry.
In 2024, the program will provide two different types of cohorts: one emphasizing Christian Education for professional educators, volunteer educators, and pastors; the second for Commissioned Ruling Elders/Commissioned Pastors (CRE/CP), persons serving as solo pastors in small congregations.
Cohorts of up to eight participants meet together monthly for a year (January – December) via Zoom and are guided by a facilitator. Find more information, as well as an application. Deadline for applications is November 30, 2023, for this innovative opportunity.
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Ecumenical Experiences for Young Leaders (and Others)
Young leaders have an opportunity to participate in ecumenical and interreligious formation at The Ecumenical Institute at Château de Bossey. The application deadline for the 2024-2025 academic year is November 30. Here is all the information needed to apply for admission to this program.
Churches United in Christ (CUiC) has created the Institute for Ecumenism: A new model of teaching young adults about the Ecumenical Movement in the USA. It was developed by CUIC members and will be piloted in 2024. It includes online training sessions from leaders of the CUIC churches and one in-person gathering. There is no cost to participate, but there are only two slots per communion available. If you are age 24 to 35 and are interested, please contact Sherri Hunter. Here is a link to this quarter’s CUIC newsletter.
If you are interested in other areas of ecumenical service, such as the Episcopal–Presbyterian dialogue team or as an ecumenical delegate to one of our conciliar body meetings, please complete the application for ecumenical service.
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Worship and Leadership Resources
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Apply Now for PC(USA) Grants and Scholarships
The Presbyterian Mission Agency offers more than 20 grants and scholarships ranging from $100 to $50,000 awarded to individuals, communities, and mid councils. Apply now at pcusa.org/grants!
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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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Along the Road – a podcast on faith and leadership for ministry leaders of the PC(USA)
Be inspired, hear the stories of others, and practice the tools of faith and leadership through conversations that nourish, enrich, and aid in the formation of leaders in the church. Congregational leaders, particularly ruling elders and deacons, will experience practices to connect faith to everyday life.
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Service to the PC(USA)
Are You Called to Serve the Larger Church?
Is God calling you to share your gifts, talents, and expertise in elected service for the benefit of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)? The 2024 cycle of nominations for ongoing standing committees, boards, and the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission is open. Individuals who feel called to be considered for service can apply online. The deadline for nominations—except for the Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program Board (deadline December 8, 2023)—is Monday, January 8, 2024.
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Help ASG Help Councils and Congregations
A message from the Administrative Services Group
The Administrative Services Group (ASG) is creating a webpage with resources for congregations and councils to help them create or update their child/youth protection policies, which are required by the Book of Order (G-3.0106). ASG is looking for policies of PC(USA) congregations and councils to include on the webpage as samples. If your council and any of your congregations are willing to allow ASG to post your child/youth protection policies to share with those who need to create or update their policy, please email them (or a link to them) to General Counsel Mike Kirk. Thank you for your support of this important project.
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Christmas Giving Ideas
2023 Gift Guide
With the 2023 Gift Guide from the PC(USA) Store, you can find the perfect gifts for family, friends, children, church leaders, and more! Order by December 2 to ensure delivery by Christmas Eve.
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THE 226th GENERAL ASSEMBLY (2024) | |
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PGR Commissioners to GA
Ruling Elders, Teaching Elders, and young adults (must be ages 18-23 by June 25, 2024) who feel called to serve as commissioners to the 226th General Assembly (2024) are encouraged to apply. Commissioners must participate in online committee meetings, June 25-27, 2024, and attend in-person plenaries, June 29-July 4, 2024, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Training opportunities are provided. Travel, accommodations, and meal expenses for commissioners and Young Adult Advisory Delegates (YAADs) are paid for by per capita.
Applications are due November 9, 2023. For more information about commissioner responsibilities: GA Commissioner Fact Sheet. The application for TEs and REs: GA Commissioner Volunteer Form. Church nomination/application for YAADs (Young Adult Advisory Delegates): YAAD Nomination Form.
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Call for Volunteers for the 226th General Assembly (2024)
As all church members know, the success of any event depends on the time, talents, and gifts of dedicated volunteers. Volunteers from across the church will play an essential role in supporting the 226th General Assembly (2024), which will gather both virtually and in-person from June 25-July 4, 2024.
Individuals are needed for to provide Zoom and help desk support, assist committees, and much more. Seasoned volunteers and those new to General Assembly work are welcome. If you are interested, email valerie izumi, who is coordinating the volunteer process, for more information, to explore how you might best serve, and to receive the GA 226 Volunteer Interest Form.
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Interested in Ecumenical Dialogue?
The PC(USA) is looking for new members for the General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations. For more information, contact valeri izumi, Assistant Stated Clerk and Manager for GA Nominations.
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Changing Families (Including Yours)—A message from Research Services
You are invited to participate in the Changing Families in the PC(USA) survey by December 1. This survey was mandated by the 225th General Assembly (2022) and is open to all who are affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The survey asks questions about marriage and romantic relationships, family structures, and expressions of gender identity. We want to learn more about the people who make up the PC(USA) and how we can meet your and your family’s needs. The survey can be completed here.
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Avoiding Copyright Enforcement Fees
You may have heard of congregations that have found themselves liable for expensive claims for using copyrighted images captured from the internet without a license. (The same is true for music.) Learn more from PMA Communications Director DeEtte Decker.
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PDA Humanitarian Response in Israel/Palestine
As violence escalates in and around Israel/Palestine, PDA is providing humanitarian assistance through partners on the ground and through ACT Alliance. Their efforts encompass a wide array of vital humanitarian interventions, including but not limited to medical supplies, shelter, WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene), food and non-food items and delivering crucial psychosocial support to individuals. To support PDA’s work in the Middle East, designate gifts to DR000081-Israel/Palestine.
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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 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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