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.

October 14, 2022

Announcements

Assembly Approves Lead Presbyter Position

The Search to Begin Soon!

After almost 2 years spent seeking God’s plan for our Presbytery, a major step forward was taken at our August 30th Assembly held at Hope Presbyterian Church in Springfield.

In early June the Task Force on Staffing and Finances presented their findings to the Leadership team, and after much discussion and prayer, that group voted to seek a full time leader for our Presbytery. The Personnel Committee developed and presented a job description and financial call package which was approved at this recent assembly.

Take note, however, that the description approved for this new leader has new emphases and priorities. The job description was realigned to be much more relational and participatory in the everyday lives of our congregations. To develop connections, to offer support, to help find resources of assistance, to encourage new forms of ministry, to cultivate accountability, and to help lift up new leaders will be the primary tasks of the person we call. Personnel was excited to discover that another Presbytery in our Synod has already travelled down this path, and we were able to gather input and wisdom from their experiences.

To make our congregations, and thus our Presbytery, stronger and better able to meet the needs we encounter is the goal. That means that some of the more mundane administrative tasks will fall back to our committees, and in some cases to our Stated Clerk who has already begun to do background checks for new pastors.

While the Leadership Team recognizes the finite nature of our finances, they believe that calling a full-time Lead Presbyter is our best opportunity to address some of our most pressing problems. It is thus an investment in our combined health. The contract will be for 3 years with the possibility for renewal.

The Nominating Committee has now been tasked with the job of nominating a search committee. If you would like to be considered to serve our Presbytery in this capacity, our nominating co-chairs, Cheyanna Losey and Gary Terpstra, would like to hear from you. Their emails are cheyannalosey@gmail.com and g.terpstra@comcast.net.

It’s an exciting time! Please be in prayer for our Presbytery as we endeavor to call the right person to help lead us forward into health and faithful witness to our Lord.

Personnel Chair

Joyce Chamberlin

ASSEMBLY VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

Installation Service of Rev. John Shear

OPPORTUNITY – PART TIME TRANSITIONAL/INTERIM PASTOR

20 hours per week

near Springfield

$25,000 – $30,000

TO REQUEST THE MINISTRY INFORMATON FORM, EMAIL THE COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY AT greatriverscom@gmail.com

Now Hiring: Interfaith Community Organizer in Quad Cities

Quad Cities Interfaith is partnering with the Quad Cities Housing Cluster to start a new tenants' association. We're looking for a full-time community organizer to schedule tenants' rights events and improve housing in the Quad Cities. If you know anyone who might be interested, please contact Katie Styrt (katiestyrt@gmail.com) or apply now!



https://www.indeed.com/job/job-description-tenant-union-organizer-quad-cities-interfaith-f326f038de522e2f

PGR Newsletter

Our Newsletters will go out the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month. The deadline for adding information is the Wednesday before.

Clerks Corner

CLERK'S CONVO:

The Bailey Family has returned from England! It was an absolutely wonderful trip. After many days of walking, walking, walking, it was also good to get home! 

Our Next Clerk's Convo will be October 19th at 6pm. This is a time for all session clerks and any admins who assist to join over zoom to ask questions and/or learn about process or anything else they might need. Please feel free to come with questions! The zoom link is:

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82477487297?pwd=ZXNIc29YRit3cTE2SGhsK0N5YzUrZz09

Meeting ID: 824 7748 7297

Passcode: 832216

Also, the Book of Order amendments are coming up for vote soon. We will be planning to vote on them at the first meeting of the year. The booklet of amendments is now available for download. (attached) There are 33 amendments that will be voted on. 

In November, there will be an informational meeting regarding the amendments led by myself and presbytery commissioners. This will be held over zoom. Please see more information and the registration link on how to sign up and participate below.

As always, if you have any questions, please let me know. 

--

Rev. Elissa Bailey

Presbytery of Great Rivers Stated Clerk

Presbytery of East Iowa Stated Clerk

Resource helps members apply for student loan debt forgiveness

Now through October 31, federal student loan borrowers may receive credit for past periods of repayment that would otherwise not qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). The U.S. Department of Education has changed the PSLF program rules for a limited time in response to the COVID-19 emergency.

For ministers enrolled in the Benefits Plan

To help ministers relieve the burden of educational debt and achieve greater financial well-being, the Board of Pensions is providing EdAssist through PeopleJoy at no cost to ministers enrolled in the Benefits Plan of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). EdAssist provides coaching to help ministers understand and apply for the PSLF program if they qualify.

Learn more about EdAssist and complete the EdAssist Interest Form to start the process.

For members serving PC(USA)-related organizations

Presbyterian Mission Agency’s Financial Aid for Service is offering EdAssist through PeopleJoy to ministers and any other staff serving any PC(USA)-related organization, including agencies, seminaries, colleges and universities, and senior housing and care facilities. Register here for an optional webinar, to be presented by PeopleJoy on Wednesday, September 21, at 3 p.m. ET. Learn more about this student loan debt support and how to apply.

Hymnal Resources for All the Ways Your Community Gathers

The Body of Christ has creatively gathered since meeting in the Upper Room to worship God and sing praise. Over the past few years, we’ve seen the ways we gather together change. Churches using both physical and online spaces have found ways to reach new members while still taking care of their current members. In all the ways we come together, music is the stream that moves and connects us.

Equipping members, new and old, with the connecting music they need for weekly worship is a challenge and the Glory to God hymnal has resources for you. Learn more about some of these resources below or browse all hymnal products.

New Follow Me Units For Advent and Beyond

Biblical Practices for Faithful Living has a new unit for Advent, along with other great four-session units that you can use any time in your congregation. Buy the packages if you have different age groups you are working with or stick with a single Leader’s Guide for the age group you need or the Congregational Guide if you are using it just for worship and fellowship. Click the button below for these resources. 

With gratitude for their continued and generous participation,

we lift up the following congregations of

the Presbytery of Great Rivers, who have given to the

Peace & Global Witness Offering for at least 20 years!

First Presbyterian Church

Macomb, Illinois

South Park Presbyterian Church

Rock Island, Illinois

We are here to support your congregations for the next 20 years!

special.offerings@pcusa.org

800-728-7228, ext. 504

“Commissioned to Change the World is as bold and exciting as its title. Confirmation is one of my favorite rites of passage and church celebrations — there are so many possibilities and it can be a time for deep learning and amazing work of the Spirit. This curriculum reads fresh, rich and creative with wonder-full philosophy, theological perspectives and pedagogy. I love the tangibility and all the different kinds of learning available to all involved. Matthew 25 churches will resonate with Commissioned to Change the World, and I hope and pray non-Matthew 25 churches will use it too!”

— Director for Programs at Montreat Conference Center Lynn A. Turnage

Learn more and order today for $35 — All proceeds support Presbyterian Outlook

Follow this link to learn more about Advent Devotionals for your congregation from the Presbyterian Outlook. 

Ukraine Emergency Appeal

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance | Ukraine Emergency Appeal

The current Russian invasion that started on February 24 follows eight years of conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Hundreds of thousands of people across the country are enduring bombings and assault by Russian military forces; and have lost power, been cut off from water and fuel. As people head toward the western regions, there is a shortage of food and other basic supplies. The reports of displaced persons inside Ukraine continue to rise every day, already in the hundreds of thousands.

GIVE. ACT. PRAY.

GIVE

Gifts can be made online, by calling (800) 872-3283, by texting PDAUKR to 41444, or by check made payable to Presbyterian Church U.S.A. with "DR000156-Ukraine" on the memo line. Mail to: 

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) 

P.O. Box 643700 

Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700

ACT

• Download the bulletin insert
• Urge the U.S. government to support generous aid for refugees and civilians suffering in Ukraine, and call for engaging a diplomatic solution to the conflict.

Donations can be made here

PRAY 🙏

Support PDA's Response to Hurricane

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) urges your support this hurricane season. In the wake of catastrophic impacts from Hurricane Ian, recovery is ongoing in places hit by Hurricane Fiona, including Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Cuba. Storms are becoming more frequent and more severe, and this early in the hurricane season we must prepare for these broad and anticipated catastrophes that have not yet formed. Give today to enable our response, from emergency needs through the long-term recovery phase.

The needs for the response will be great. God’s people are called on to stand in the "GAP" — Give. Act. Pray.

GIVE. ACT. PRAY.

GIVE: 

Financial support for relief efforts can be designated to DR000194, which supports the church’s response to hurricanes and typhoons. Gifts can be made online by clicking here, going to pcusa.org/GIVE-HURRICANES, by phone at (800) 872-3283, or by check made payable to Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) with "DR000194" written on the memo line and Mail to:

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

P.O. Box 643700

Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700

ACT:

• Download and use the bulletin insert (available in English and Spanish).
• Gift of the Heart kits are needed — learn more here.
• Stay informed and like us on Facebook, download resources and share updates with your congregation.

PRAY: 

God of our life, whose presence sustains us in every circumstance, in storm and distress, hear our prayer. May those who have been spared nature’s fury as well as those whose lives are changed forever by ravages of wind and water find solace, sustenance and strength in the days of recovery and rebuilding that come.

We pray for those yet in harm’s way; who wait in neighborhoods while waters rise, who pray for the rains to cease. We pray for those huddled at home or among strangers while wind ravages, for those who have fled from home and wait and wonder. We ask for sustaining courage, for the kindness of strangers, for hope that does not disappoint.

We open ourselves to listen with compassion to the stories of those whom these storms have not spared and to act generously on their behalf: communities whose livelihood, homes and stability have been destroyed. We pray in grief, honoring the lives shattered and the livelihoods, homes and businesses for whom recovery seems an insurmountable mountain.

As typhoons, floods and hurricanes assault the planet endangering Creation and so many vulnerable communities, we pray for the peoples of the Caribbean, the Philippines and Vietnam, Pakistan and our own United States. Even as year by year we endure these seasons, we also see the intensifying impacts climate change imposes on our fragile earth as storms increase in severity and number. We repent our lack of attention to this crisis and commit to repairing and healing the earth.

We ask for sustaining courage for those who are suffering; wisdom and diligence among agencies and individuals assessing damage and directing relief efforts; and for generosity to flow as powerfully as rivers and streams, responding to the deep human needs emerging in the wake of these storms. May every tear be dried, as we join the work of your restless Spirit, hovering even now over the waters of chaos, creating, healing and birthing your new community of justice and wholeness for all Creation and for the creatures who dwell in it.

In the name of Christ the Healer we pray. Amen.

--Rev. Dr. Laurie Kraus, Director, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance

Preparing Church Finances for Year End Processes

Tuesday November 15 6:30-8:00PM Zoom

The Presbytery of Great Rivers will be hosting a Preparing Church Finances for Year End Processes Zoom class taught by Amy Gardner (Presbytery of Great Rivers’ former Accountant). A week before the presentation, participants will receive via email a zoom link, pdf copy of slides as well as a survey to ensure everyone has an opportunity to ask any pressing questions.  Class size is limited to 18 participants.

We will focus on financial and HR steps that your church can take in 2022 that will make the beginning of 2023 go a little smoother. Making sure that your church is prepared for the January 31 deadline for tax documents before the end of the year can save a new Treasurer additional stress as they step into this position with the church.

Topics will include advance preparation for 2022 W2s and 1099, being prepared for your church’s 2022 Annual Financial Review and using your 2023 budget to help get your 2023 Terms of Call forms done as painlessly as possible.

To enroll, please email Lindsay and include your name, church, phone number and email that you can be reached at the evening of the class.

2022 Assembly Dates

November 19, 2022 at 10:00am - Grace Presbyterian Church, Rock Island (Former Good Shepherd Building

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)

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-4pm (Central Time)

Bridge Presbyter John Rickard 309-683-6983 Email: jrickard@greatriverspby.org

He works remotely from Northern Illinois.

His regular schedule is Mon – Fri between 9am -5pm (Central Time)

Stated Clerk - Elissa Bailey- 309-371-2511  Email: pastorebailey@gmail.com

Starting May 1st: the Stated Clerk's Office hours will be Mon - Thurs from 7:30am - 3pm. (Central Time)

Crystal Goforth Bio

Crystal Goforth is stepping into the primary role of Virtual Office Assistant. Crystal received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Lander University in 2006. She married her husband, Michael Goforth, in 2008. They live in Clinton, SC (home of Presbyterian College). Her husband, Michael, works full-time for the South Carolina Army National Guard. They have two kids, Christina(12), and Paul (9). They also have a dog who is like another child, N’dago. They served as foster parents for 6 years and had eleven children in their care during that time.

Crystal has been serving in administrative/ministry assistant roles since 2006 starting  with collegiate ministry and moving into more of an administrative assistant role in a local church in 2012 after taking about a year and half off to stay home with Christina while her husband, Michael, was deployed. Crystal started supporting ministries virtually in 2020. Crystal currently serves in her local church through teaching preschoolers about missionaries.