Presbytery of Southeastern Illinois Newsletter - September 13, 2018
Peace & Global Witness Offering
The Peace & Global Witness Offering is received during the  Season of Peace , which ends on World Communion Sunday. However, you can help sustain the important PC(USA) ministries and programs that are supported by this important Offering by  making an online gift  at any time throughout the year.

150th Anniversary Celebration at Philo Church
You are invited to join in the festivities as Philo Presbyterian Church celebrates their 150 th anniversary on Sunday, September 16, 2018. The following events are planned at the Church on Sunday:
 
9:30-10:30 am Fellowship
10:30-10:45 am Brief History of Philo Presbyterian Church
10:45-11:00 am Hymn Sing
11:00-12:00 pm Worship Service
12:00-2:00 pm Celebration Lunch
September is National Suicide Month
September is National Suicide Prevention Month .
#BeThe1To is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s message for National Suicide Prevention Month and beyond, which helps spread the word about actions we can all take to prevent suicide. The Lifeline network and its partners are working to change the conversation from suicide to suicide prevention, to actions that can promote healing, help and give hope.


Navigating Healthy Relationships
Many thanks to all who participated in the new approach to boundary training for our presbytery! The COM is grateful to the folks who developed the workshops, the congregation of Sparta Westminster for their support, and everyone who participated in the workshops. We will email an evaluation form soon to all who attended and encourage your feedback.

We need your help as we expand and strengthen the workshops. 
  • We are seeking ideas for additional topics. Perhaps you have always wondered how to effectively deal with a specific situation and think that a workshop on that topic would be useful.
  • We need people to join the presentation team. Our goal is to develop a team of presenters who are effective communicators and teachers, as well as knowledgeable in specific areas.
  • We would like to make these workshops available to congregations.

If you have suggestions for topics, are interested in being a presenter or know someone who is gifted in that area, or would like to schedule a training for your congregation, please contact Ann Schwartz, COM Vice Moderator, at revann@fpcdanville.org .

Watch this newsletter and other forms of communication for the announcement of the next presentation of “Navigating Healthy Relationships.”
Session Records Review in regional locations
Beginning September 16th and running through November 4th, Session Records Reviews will occur throughout the Presbytery.

All Session Records must be read prior to the November 15th Presbytery meeting. Even as events are help in regional locations, you may attend one in another region if that date is better for you.

CLERKS - If none of these dates work for you, then send your moderator to the reading with the records or another member of Session or a previous clerk.

All events are on Sundays from 3:00 pm until 5:00 pm.

Moving Expenses No Longer Tax Free
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed by Congress in late 2017 included a change to the tax treatment for job-related moving expenses. Mid councils, churches, and ministers should be mindful of this change in tax treatment for moving expenses as terms of call are being negotiated for new pastoral relationships that involve a qualifying move.

Ruling Elders: The creative tension in spiritual leadership.
The PC(USA) offers a monthly series for spiritual leaders. This month's offering addresses Ruling Elders and the creative tension of spiritual leadership. Written by RE Joan S. Gray, Moderator of the 217th General Assembly.

Those who partner with God in the spiritual leadership of the church live between two important truths. The first of these we hear from Jesus on the occasion of his last gathering with his disciples: “Without me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).  Nothing  is a very hard word. It must have been hard for the first disciples to hear. First, Jesus talks about his going away from them and then they hear that without him they can do nothing. How was the work to go forward? How was God’s agenda going to be accomplished if Jesus was going away and if without him they could do nothing?

Selecting 2019 BOP benefits
The Board of Pensions can work with you to design an employee benefits program exactly the way you need it to be. Whether it's employee-paid coverage like vision eyewear or a 403(b)(9) savings plan, or a full complement of healthcare and income security coverage, the Board of Pensions continues to give you flexibility and choice for 2019, with expanded programs under the stewardship of experienced benefits professionals.