Previously we had cancelled the Session Record reading events that were to be held at Urbana, First and the New Haven churches. Now, with the Governor’s extension of the shelter-in-place order, the Litchfield event on May 17th is cancelled. And while the May 31st date in Newton could possibly be held, sitting six feet apart and trying to communicate while wearing face masks could interfere with our communication. 

Therefore, there will be no in-person Session Record reading events until the fall. Currently we have readings scheduled at Urbana, First on September 13th, in New Haven on September 20th, in Pinckneyville on October 11th, in Decatur at First Presbyterian Church on October 18th, and in Effingham on October 25th. Conveniently these locations could be described as two in the southern region, two in the northern region and one in the central region of our Presbytery.

If you would like to complete your Session Record reading electronically that would be acceptable. If you are interested in doing so, please send me an email at  cindybean@psei.net . You are free to find another Clerk of Session who would like to do this also or I can try to set up a match for you. Once you have a partner, fill out your worksheet and send it with your 2019 minutes and annual reports to each other by e-mail, google docs, etc. Work through the sheets as you usually would. If you have questions for your partner Clerk, then email or phone them with your questions or ask me to set up a Zoom conference for the two of you. When you have completed the work send me an email with your evaluation – Approved, Approved with Exception or not Approved. If you read more than the 2019 minutes (previous years) please also indicate the additional years that were read and your evaluation for each additional year.

We will not check the membership rolls electronically. We will not be able to stamp the Minute book either, but I will have a record of which books were read electronically and we will mark and stamp the book when we read the 2020 records.

If you are not comfortable doing this work electronically and you are not comfortable attending an in-person event this year, please send me a note so that I can keep track of that information. Please know that we do not want anyone to feel uncomfortable nor endanger their health. There will be no pressure to read the 2019 minutes this year.

Thank you for your patience and grace in this extraordinary time.

I pray that you will all stay well and safe!
Cindy Bean – Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Southeastern Illinois. 

All events are on Sundays and all times are 3pm—5pm

SALT FORK REGION 
September 13 — URBANA, FIRST — 602 W. Green 

THE BRIDGE REGION 
September 20 — NEW HAVEN, UNITED – Vine St. 

RIVER TO RIVER REGION 
October 11 — PINCKNEYVILLE, FIRST – 3811 State Rt. 13/127 

GREATER DECATUR REGION 
October 18 – DECATUR, FIRST – 204 W. Prairie Av. 

EAST CENTRAL REGION 
October 25 — EFFINGHAM, FIRST – 600 W. Temple