Photo: The GA Commissioner Training group at lunch at Obed & Isaac's in Peoria
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.
May 13, 2022
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As this pandemic moves, we urge all congregations to revisit your safety and mitigation plans so you and your community can be safe. Please see our COVID-19 website tab on our website for helpful resources by clicking HERE.
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(Please let us know if you see any mistakes that we overlook so we can update our prayer list!)
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PRESBYTERY ASSEMBLY,
Tuesday, May 17th, 2022
Via ZOOM
Call to Order 4:00 p.m.,
Site opens at 3:30 p.m.
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Clerk's Corner:
As General Assembly is quickly approaching, the elected General Assembly commissioners gathered together, along with Stated Clerk Elissa Bailey and Gap Presbyter John Rickard, at United Presbyterian Church in Peoria for training. We thank the church for hosting us. Following our time of training, we joined in fellowship and nourishment at Obed and Isaac's where we learned the exciting Presbyterian history of that restaurant!
Our elected commissioners are looking forward to how God is calling them in this unique time and would covet your prayers, especially as they will be traveling back and forth from Louisville. CRE Diane Ludington is serving on the Theology, Worship, and Education committee which oversees "amendments to the Book of Order section W as well as items related to theological education, higher education, and published materials. She is to report in Louisville June 17th-June 23rd. One of the unique aspects of her time frame is that her cohort will be in person when GA opens and will be the group that will vote to "suspend the rules" to allow for the electronic voting of all of the commissioners who won't be in person.
TE Chuck Goodman will be serving on the Standing Rules of the General Assembly committee which is responsible for "overseeing proposed changes to the standing rules of the General Assembly". He will be reporting for his committee work in Louisville June 26th- June 30th. RE Tim Haworth will be serving on the General Assembly Entity Policies and Procedures Committee which will oversee items "related to administrative and internal issues of A Corp/Administrative Services Group, Presbyterian Mission Agency, and the Office of General Assembly". Lastly, TE Katie Styrt will be serving on the Financial Resources committee which will oversee "all financial and budget-related items from entities of the General Assembly." Both Tim and Katie will report for their committee work at the same time which is June 29th- July 3rd.
As a Presbytery, we thank our commissioners for the desire to serve our presbytery in this manner and we will certainly look forward to the ways we can continue to support them. We hope you will all pray for them and you will join us for our Stated Assembly on May 17th in which we will commission them to their GA work.
Announcement:
Clerk's Convo for May will be: Thursday, May 26th at 5:30pm on Zoom
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 824 7748 7297
Passcode: 832216
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Presbytery of Great Rivers Virtual Office
Virtual Office Assistant Lindsay Zubal 309-683-6980 Email: office@greatriverspby.org
Lindsay works remotely from Pennsylvania (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)
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Quarterly Resource Preview
May 2022
“Look ahead with joy,” God charges us through the prophet Isaiah. “Anticipate what I’m creating!” As the summer season approaches — and, with it, a history-making General Assembly — let’s celebrate God’s glorious new creation as we walk God’s path together. A wealth of new resources, events and programs awaits!
Special Offerings and the Presbyterian Giving Catalog
Special Offerings is providing the opportunity to customize your own bulletin insert for the 2022 Pentecost Offering, sharing with your members how you will use your 40% of the offering to build a foundation of faith in children, youth and young adults in your community. Follow this link to provide Special Offerings staff with your congregation’s information, and someone from the team will follow up in 1–2 business days. If you have any questions, please reach out to special.offerings@pcusa.org.
· Between Two Pulpits with the Special Offerings: Join us for a weekly conversation where guests discuss theology, mission, lectionary readings for the following Sunday and the churchwide Special Offerings. Each week features a special guest and includes ideas for promotion and engagement. The show takes place live on Mondays at 1 p.m. Eastern time in the Facebook group Special Offerings: Promoting Presbyterian Mission Together. Recent guests have included Destini Hodges from the Young Adult Volunteer Program, Edwin González-Castillo of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and Debbie Braaksma, co-coordinator of The Learning Hub at Beechmont Presbyterian Church in Louisville — a recipient of a grant from Educate a Child – Transform the World.
· We Believe Video: It is easy to make a big difference in people’s lives through the Presbyterian Giving Catalog. Our mission is to connect people as neighbors with others experiencing needs; to support projects and friendships that grow gardens and generations; bring water and watch for corruption; share education, tools and training; and link each of us, more closely, with one another and with God. Watch the video now!
· Request a free Presbyterian Giving Catalog Starter Kit: Your kit includes catalogs, a display stand and additional resources — everything you need to share your passion for Presbyterian Mission with your family, friends and congregation! Order yours now by clicking here!
Professional student loan coaching to be available for PC(USA) employees
Temporary changes in Federal student loan programs provide employees of nonprofits with a second chance at loan forgiveness. This includes employees of PC(USA) agencies/entities and other PC(USA) organizations.
Financial Aid for Service has partnered with PeopleJoy student loan consultants to help PC(USA) employees learn about what might be available to them and take advantage of this opportunity. PeopleJoy provides coaching, advising and hands-on document preparation and submission for Federal student loan programs including Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Income-Driven Repayment Plans, Loan Consolidation, Default Recovery and more.
This service will be available free of charge to employees of PC(USA) congregations, mid councils, denominational agencies/entities and others. Communication about how to connect with PeopleJoy will begin in early May. Informational webinars about what PeopleJoy offers, which will be simulcast in Spanish and Korean, will be available monthly starting May 12. Click here for more information.
Mission co-workers available for interpretation, Spring 2022
The next few months may be a perfect time for you to be inspired by what God is doing in the world. Please consider hosting virtually or in person one of our itinerating mission co-workers (MCWs). Click here for the online list of the MCWs who will be available in 2022–23. You can also reach our co-workers’ webpages through the links found on the Mission Connections homepage.
Please take a few minutes to watch a new video in which our MCWs tell the stories of PC(USA) mission partnerships in Latin America and the Caribbean. At the same time, we hope that you will consider supporting our global partners through our one fund, General Sending and Support, E132192 (or D500115 for congregational giving only). Gifts to the one fund may be made “in honor of” [name of mission co-worker(s)], who will then be notified of the gift and will gratefully acknowledge it just as they have in the past. Learn more here.
NEW Spring 2022 resource from the Presbyterian Hunger Program
How do ministries alleviating hunger, providing affordable housing, caring for the earth and building just societies help enliven congregations? Read about congregational vitality that comes through efforts to work on hunger and its root causes in the latest edition of the PHP Post.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) Annual Report now available
PDA recently released its Annual Report, “Mosaic: Year In Review 2021,” in English, Spanish and Korean. Read it online or order free copies from the PCUSA Store. For a brief summary of PDA’s work in 2021, download the one-page “2021 At A Glance.”
New daily devotional now available
1001 New Worshiping Communities is publishing a daily email devotional in celebration of Pentecost and marking the 10th anniversary of the 1001 movement. Each day’s devotion is written by a new worshiping community leader or a member of the 1001 staff and will be delivered to your inbox every weekday in June. To receive the devotions, you must subscribe using this link.
Mosaic of Peace Conference: A Presbyterian Peacemaking Conference in Israel/Palestine
Join us from Nov. 6–18 — with an optional pre-conference in Jordan, Nov. 1–5 — to experience this remarkable and troubled region, encounter its diverse people, explore its rich history and complex current situation and engage with those who seek its peace. Applications are due July 1, 2022. Detailed information can be found here.
The International Peacemakers Program is accepting applications for 2022 in-person visits
Since 1984, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has been hosting International Peacemakers from partner denominations and organizations around the world to help us understand peace and justice concerns and provide insights that inspire us to greater faithfulness. Mid councils, clusters of congregations and educational institutions may learn more by visiting the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program website and apply to host a peacemaker in person for fall 2022. Applications are due June 1, 2022.
Companion Guide to the Commitment to Peacemaking
We’ve committed to peacemaking — now what? Check out the “Companion Guide to the Commitment to Peacemaking” here. It assists congregations, mid councils and theological institutions as they make, reaffirm and deepen their commitments to peacemaking. The Companion Guide provides an intentional development plan for your peacemaking work and witness. It offers a set of original and curated resources designed to help Presbyterians engage a peacemaking area of emphasis of their choosing: poverty, violence, racism, climate change or immigration/migration.
News from the Office of Mission Program Grants
Funding for 1001 New Worshiping Communities and Presbytery Level Congregational Transformation is available through the office of Mission Program Grants. Applications and resources may be obtained by visiting the Mission Program Grants website. The upcoming submission dates for proposals are June 14, July 28 and Sept. 1, for review on July 22, Aug. 30 and Oct. 20–21, respectively.
Continuing Education for leaders in Spanish/Educación Continua para líderes en Español
The Office of Hispanic/Latino-a Intercultural Congregational Support hosts weekly Continuing Education for leaders in Spanish.* Upcoming topics are “Advocacy within the Great Ends of the Church” in May and “Decolonizing the Pulpit: The Sermon as Artisanal Creation” in June. For more information, email Rosa Miranda.
*La Oficina Intercultural de Apoyo Congregacional Hispano Latina ofrece semanalmente Educación Continua para líderes en español. Los próximos temas serán: La Abogacía dentro del marco de los Grandes Fines de la Iglesia, en mayo y la Descolonización del Púlpito, el sermón como creación artesanal, en junio. Para más información escriba a rosa.miranda@pcusa.org.
Encuentro Educativo para líderes pastorales: La abogacía en el marco de los Grandes Fines de la Iglesia:
Martes 3 de mayo a las 12:00 p.m. Tiempo del Este (En la proclamación del evangelio); Martes 10 de mayo a las 12:00 p.m. Tiempo del Este (En el amparo, la educación y la confraternidad spiritual); Martes 17 de mayo a las 12:00 p.m. Tiempo del Este (En la adoración); Martes 24 de mayo a las 12:00 p.m. Tiempo del Este (En la preservación de la verdad); Martes 31 de mayo a las 12:00 p.m. Tiempo del Este (En la promoción de la justicia social y a manifestación del reino de los cielos al mundo)
Resources from the Office of Christian Formation
Three new resources are now available from the Office of Christian Formation:
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Faith and Disability Inclusion Toolkit As you are working to engage people of all abilities in your congregation, the Quicksheets in this toolkit provide tools for expanding inclusiveness in your faith community as a whole, as well as resources targeted toward the particular ministries of Christian formation, fellowship and service, and worship.
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As congregations are making plans for summer and fall, remember the Intergenerational Mission Toolkit, which is full of resources and ideas.
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The PC(USA) Planning Calendar and Special Emphasis Days recognize Older Adults in May. Resources are available from POAMN (Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry Network), including a Planning Guide and a special online worship celebration on May 22 at 7 p.m. Eastern Time.
Everyday God-talk
Everyday God-talk is a digital ministry of the Presbyterian Mission Agency’s Office of Theology & Worship. We invite various groups of people — theologians, ministers and others — whom we address as God-talkers. The format has been flexible since the pandemic. Following a Pilot Season and Season 1, Season 2 launched on April 12.
In Season 2, we encourage mid council leaders not only to watch these conversations, but also to join the God-talk as God-talkers. The door is open to all synod and presbytery leaders. For more information or to follow the conversations, feel free to email the associate for theology, So Jung Kim, and subscribe to the Theology & Worship YouTube channel.
Comprised of three parts (soul, body and heart), the first God-talk of Season 2 on April 12 featured Corey Schlosser-Hall, a former executive presbyter for Northwest Coast Presbytery who now serves the Presbyterian Mission Agency as deputy director for vision, rebuilding and innovation.
Have you heard about the Urban Presbyteries Network (UPN)?
The Urban Presbyteries Network includes presbytery leaders from over 30 “urban-centric” presbyteries. The goal of the UPN is to sustain, inspire and empower leaders of Christ’s church called to meet the needs in urban contexts. We hope to glean and learn from one another, to prayerfully see the needs and offer ourselves in service more and more to God’s mission. Finally, we hope it will be a joyous opportunity to gather with glad hearts as we spend time together.
Through monthly meetings and hybrid/in-person gatherings, we hope to contribute to the growth of each presbytery and its leadership according to God’s will for them.
For in-person gatherings, we hope to present speakers from civic organizations, religious leaders and secular community leaders to help give voice, history and context to the ministry being done in selected urban areas. Gatherings may include open panel dialogues, mission site visits, fellowship and more.
This year’s meeting will be our first in more than two years! It will be hybrid! If you believe you will benefit from being a part of the network or would like to hear more about the upcoming gathering in Charlotte, N.C., on July 28, join us for the next UPN meeting on the third Thursday of each month at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time or email the Office of Vital Congregations.
Call to Worship Lectionary Aids for 2022–2023 (Year A)
Call to Worship 56.1 is available now through the PC(USA) Store in paperback ($48) and download ($40) formats. This issue provides lectionary-based liturgical resources, music suggestions and visual art for every Sunday and festival in Year A, from the First Sunday of Advent (Nov. 27, 2022) through the Reign of Christ (Nov. 27, 2023). View a free sample here. Three thematic issues, included with the price of an annual subscription, address current topics in liturgy, music, preaching and the arts. Thematic issues in this volume include Baptism (56.2; available August 2022), Eucharist (56.3; available November 2022) and Ministry (56.4; available February 2023).
Downloadable Excerpts on PC(USA) Store
Did you know that most books and curriculums on PC(USA) Store have downloadable excerpts so that you can preview the resource before purchasing? They’re really easy to find once you know where to look. Simply navigate to a resource you’re interested in and click through to the product page. You’ll see the product cover and title information at the top, then the product overview. Directly below that, if an excerpt is available, you’ll see a red button under the heading: Product Excerpts and Related Resources.
Resources from the Presbyterian Association of Musicians
· Annual Worship & Music Conference this June: Worship planning and leadership are central to the work of both pastors and church musicians and are the arenas in which our work together has the most overlap. The Worship and Music Conference at Montreat is a conference for everyone who cares about the worship life and practice of the church. The 2022 conference has a particularly robust track for pastors. Learn more about the offerings here. First-call pastors are eligible for a free 2022 PAM membership and online conference registration (or discounted in-person registration). Please email us to share your contact information and receive discount codes to register. The conference is being offered in person and online.
· Town Hall Forum Series (In partnership with the Office of Theology and Worship and the Call to Worship journal): On May 12th at 1 p.m. Eastern Time, join David Gambrell as he talks with Martha Moore-Keish about her recent Call to Worship article titled “Confessing Church: Why Do We Keep Doing These Prayers of Confession?” All Town Hall Forums are free and open to the public. Register here. You may learn about upcoming forums by clicking here.
Register today for Stewardship Kaleidoscope!
Join us Sept. 26–28 — either in person in Savannah, Ga., or online — for this exciting conference featuring best-selling author A.J. Jacobs, Rev. Dawn Hyde, Dr. Michael Bos, Rev. Kathryn Johnston and others. Scholarships are available. Get more information and register today with our early bird discount.
May
June
July
August
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The Presbytery's newly formed C.A.R.E. committee invites the members of Presbytery to participate in this Crossroads training: |
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Mission Stories: This from 1st Springfield
Hearts of Love
The members of the Faith, Fiber and Fellowship group at First – Springfield decided to make small hearts from fabric and give them to the congregation to share with others. The purpose of the hearts is to show someone they are loved, to cheer up someone who is lonely or ill, or to say thank you to someone who has done something for you. Or just to cheer yourself up.
The week they were introduced to the congregation there were 25 hearts in the basket. At the end of the service, they were all taken. Since then, we have filled the basket with more at each service and there is usually only one left. Since the middle of March, we have given out more than 50 hearts.
We received an email from a visitor on the Sunday they were introduced. She took it home with her and said she wanted to make more and send them to us if the program was still on going. We have encouraged her to use them in her local church to spread God’s love.
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New Confirmation Curriculum from Presbyterian Outlook
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Community Organizing Training in IL
The Gamaliel Institute is offering weeklong community organizing training June 12-18 at Mundelein, IL. This training presents the concepts and tools a leader needs to live out their values in the real world, from building community to planning local actions. Further information is at https://gamaliel.org/events-and-training/.
Although the training is open to anyone, it is designed for members of Gamaliel affiliate chapters so that members are better equipped to serve their communities. Our presbytery has two local chapters - Quad Cities Interfaith in Rock Island county and Faith Coalition for the Common Good in Springfield, as well as a just-forming chapter in Rockford. Scholarships are available from each chapter for local people to get more involved in ongoing community service with their congregations. If you have questions or want to learn more, contact Katie Styrt at 309-787-4661 or katiestyrt@gmail.com.
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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
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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
***Already our church communities donated about $74,000 toward the
Ukraine Emergency Appeal!***
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Session Record Review Information |
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RULING ELDERS
Regarding Ruling Elders: A Monthly Series for Serving Faithfully
Sacred Conversation—Question B
Julie Hester - March 15, 2022
Do you accept the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be, by the Holy Spirit, the unique and authoritative witness to Jesus Christ in the Church universal, and God’s Word to you? (W-4.0404b.)
“It’s time to order Bibles for third graders,” my assistant said, dropping the catalog on my desk. “I know it takes you a while to pick them.”
She wasn’t wrong. For as long as I’ve been in ministry, one of my favorite — and most challenging — tasks has been giving Bibles to children. Usually with proud adults looking on. Usually after a series of interactive classes to teach “Bible skills.” Usually with the child’s name on the front. That means ordering in time for embossing. This is my Bible-shopping interior monologue:
- Which translation? It needs to be authoritative, theologically compatible with our denomination, and readable. Extra points if the congregation uses the same translation in worship.
- Which version of that translation? The Gift Bible? Hardcover or softcover? The children’s version? The teen or adult study version? Which is most appealing to third graders?
- Are there child-friendly graphics, notes, or pictures that help explain things? Are they too childish? Do they square with our theology? If there are pictures, are they diverse in their representation?
- Which Bible will be inviting enough to make them open and read it now? Which will they keep reading in years to come, if this is the only Bible they take into young adulthood?
- What’s the cost? Shipping time? Oh, and can we get the names on them?
Click HERE to read the rest of the article.
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A Message from the Nominating Committee
Presbytery of Great Rivers has a significant tradition of serving our churches. Our Churches and their members have a long proud tradition of participating in committees and holding offices in the Presbytery structure. Our Nominating Committee is reaching out for assistance.
If any of your members have an interest in learning about the inner workings of the Presbytery or assisting in guiding it during this transition period, please contact Julio Garcia at 309-235-3999 or julieman6@yahoo.com.
Travel has been minimized through the use of ZOOM for committee meetings. Attending a meeting does not always mean 90 minutes or two hours of travel time round trip.
The PGR website has material identifying all the committees and their responsibilities. They cover the same basic subjects as the FPC-L structure, i.e. ministry, mission, and administration. There is a good fit for anyone.
Please consider this opportunity. PGR is facing significant challenges and dependable talented assistance is needed
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2022 Assembly Dates
***May 17, 2022 at 4:00pm - On Zoom**
August 30, 2022 at 4:00pm - Springfield, Hope
November 19, 2022 at 10:00am - Milan, First
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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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