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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.
July 28, 2023
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PGR Newsletter
Our Newsletters will go out the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month. The deadline for adding information is the Tuesday before at 5 pm. Please note the day that articles are due has been moved to Tuesday through the end of October.
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From Your Lead Presbyter
Friends,
At its best and most faithful, the Church models the love of Christ in the world. That is its primary job, its mission. Depending on their gifts, resources, location, and imaginations, congregations express that love in a variety of ways: food pantries, prison ministries, homeless shelters, prayer shawls, afterschool programs for children and youth, backpacks and school supplies, activism, supporting like-minded agencies and organizations.
All churches, no matter their size, location, or denomination, should be safe, healthy, and welcoming for all people; a place where folks of every age, circumstance, and background can worship, serve, learn, grow, ask questions, articulate doubts, and be themselves without fear of judgment or condemnation. The church, at its best and most faithful, is a force for good in its community.
Ephesians 4.12 says the church is a place in which pastors and teachers are given gifts in order that they “equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” Matthew 25.35-36 calls the church to act with love, justice, and mercy in the world: “‘I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’” 1 John 3.11b says simply: “We should love one another.”
The church falls short when it acts more like a social club or clique, favoring some kinds of people and excluding others; when it shames, belittles, and rejects; when its theology and doctrine lack both intellectual rigor and heart; when its focus is on itself; when it has little impact on its neighborhood or community. The church, at its worst, damages people and the cause of Christ.
Before his untimely death a few years ago, writer Brian Doyle was a life-long person of faith who loved and criticized his church. He wrote this prayer, titled “Furious Prayer for the Church I Love and Have Always Loved but Which Drives Me Insane with Its Fussy Fidgety Prim Tin-Eared Thirst for Control and Rules and Power and Money Rather Than the One Simple Thing the Founder Insisted On”:
Granted, it’s a tough assignment, the original assignment. I get that. Love—Lord help us, could we not have been assigned something easier, like astrophysics or quantum mechanics? But no—love those you cannot love. Love those who are poor and broken and fouled and dirty and sick with sores. Love those who wish to strike you on both cheeks. Love the blowhard, the pompous ass, the arrogant liar. Find the Christ in each heart, even those. Preach the Gospel and only if necessary talk about it. Be the Word. It is easy to advise and pronounce and counsel and suggest and lecture; it is not so easy to do what must be done without sometimes shrieking. Bring love like a bright weapon against the dark. The Rabbi did not say build churches, or retreat houses, or secure a fleet of cars for general use, or convene conferences, or issue position papers. He was pretty blunt about the hungry and the naked and the sick. He was not reasonable; we forget this. The Church is not a reasonable idea. The Church should be a verb. When it is only a noun it is not what the Founder asked of us. Let us pray that we are ever after dissolving the formal officious arrogant thing that wants to rise, and ever fomenting the contradictory revolutionary counter-cultural thing that could change life on this planet. It could, you know. Let’s try again today. And so: amen.
As I visit congregations on Sunday mornings and meet with pastors in PGR, I am moved by the ministries you are engaged in, the ways you are being the church, and the impact you are having on your communities. I am grateful for your witness throughout this Presbytery. May you persist in your unreasonable, counter-cultural, transformative missions of love.
Grace and peace,
Ann
Rev. Ann Schwartz
Lead Presbyter
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Prayers
Please pray for Rev. Charles Cunningham (HR TE) as he recovers from surgery and hospitalization. Rev. Cunningham is the moderator and leads worship regularly at First United Presbyterian Church, Pekin.
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Clerk's Corner
The dates are set! The Session Record Reviews have been set for this year. There are several taking place in the bounds of Great Rivers Presbytery and several in East Iowa. You are welcome to attend the record review that works best for you. Here are the possibilities:
Saturday, August 5th, 9 AM-noon @ First Pres, Normal, IL
Sunday, September 10th, 3-6 PM @ First Presbyterian Church, Iowa City, IA
Thursday, September 14th, 9 AM-noon @ First Presbyterian Church, Macomb, IL
Sunday, September 17th, 2-5 PM @ First Pres, Muscatine, IA
Monday, September 18th, 9 AM-noon @ First Pres, Davenport, IA
Friday, September 22nd, 1-4 PM @ Faith Pres, Cedar Rapids, IA
Friday, October 20th, 9 AM-noon @ Faith United Pres, Monmouth, IL
Some of you completed your last record review approximately 18 months ago. My goal is to get everyone back on the same page and to have us complete record reviews on the years that the next Book of Order is published and goes into effect. This is especially important this year because of the significant policies and trainings that all governing bodies, including sessions, need to implement. We will discuss how your session can make this happen at the Session Record Review. So even if you had your last review 18 months ago, I encourage you to attend this review for this critical information.
What happens if you are not able to attend? The first step is to send someone in your place. You can send your pastor, your administrative assistant (especially in churches where the admin is responsible for putting the minutes together), or another session member. If there is no possibility for that to work either, please contact me, we will work something out.
Here is the link for signing up:
https://forms.gle/3XLiF6jzVAbDftG87
Just a reminder, I will be out of town July 22-28 for Synod School in Iowa!
Rev. Elissa Bailey
Presbytery of Great Rivers Stated Clerk
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COM Updates to the Great Rivers Website
We’ve been going through the Committee on Ministry portions of the PGR website and want to tell you about some updates we’ve made for your convenience.
Under the MORE tab, choose Resources, then PCUSA links. Two new links have been added for the 2023-2025 Book of Order, which went into effect on July 9th. One takes you to the PCUSA Store website to order paperback copies. The other takes you to a downloadable version of the new Book of Order.
The Church Leadership Connection (CLC) has been revamped. By the end of August the legacy CLC will no longer be operational. Churches and job seekers should all be creating new forms in the new system no later than July 31st. The link called New CLC Information takes you directly to the page at the Office of the General Assembly that provides all the information needed by individuals, congregations and PNCs and COM members to complete forms and upload them. You can also get the same information by going directly to: oga.pcusa.org/section/mid-council-ministries/clc/
If you want to create an account in the new system, choose LOGIN under New CLC System.
Please do not hesitate to ask questions about the CLC changes. We are learning with you and are happy to walk with you on this. We are very proud of our congregations that have already switched to getting their MDPs into the new CLC and the ones still working on it. Send your inquiries to greatriverscom@gmail.com
Blessings,
Laura Reason, COM Moderator
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Not Your Average Boundary Training
The Presbyteries of Great Rivers and Southeastern Illinois are offering joint annual training on misconduct on Zoom on the following dates:
Tuesday, August 29-Wednesday, August 30—3:00-5:30 each day
Tuesday, October 31-Wednesday, November 1—3:00-5:30 each day
The five-hour sessions are identical in content. This annual requirement for all PGR ministers, temporary minister members, candidates and elders serving as Commissioned Pastors in PGR may also be met by alternative means. This is the training the presbytery provides at no charge to our members through the generosity of the Synod of Lincoln Trails.
For questions about acceptability of alternative programs or to submit your certificate of completion for 2023 now, please reach out to our Stated Clerk, Elissa Bailey at pastorebailey@gmail.com.
Registration Deadline is August 18th.
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Communion Training Workshop for Ruling Elders
Led by Rev. Kay Daniel
Central Presbyterian Church of Petersburg is excited to host a training event for elders to prepare them to celebrate communion in their home congregations if their church is not currently being served by a Minister (TE) or a Lay Pastor (CP/CRE). Congregations interested in this training for their Ruling Elders should send a registration email to greatriverscom@gmail.com with the names and contact information of those elders their Session is sending to this event. Registration Deadline is September 3, 2023.
Training date: Sept 9, 2023
Time 9 – noon
210 Douglas, Petersburg IL 62675
For Part 2 of the training, which includes individual training and practicing a communion service, a second date will be set with each church represented at the event.
Successful completion of this two-part training leads to being certified for a three-year term by Committee on Ministry (COM).
Elders needing re-certification for an additional three year term may enroll in this course to qualify for re-certification or speak to their COM Ministry Partner about alternative re-certification training. The current Ministry Partner listing can be found on the Great Rivers website under Forms/COM Forms.
This training will be repeated at a later date by Rev. Daniel by request made directly to her: churchmouse12345@yahoo.com.
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Congratulations!!
In a joyful service of worship, RE Diane Ludington was commissioned as the CRE/CLP at First United Presbyterian Church in Carthage on July 19. Commission members included: Rev. Dr. Cheyanna Losey, Rev. Elissa Bailey, Rev. Dr. Laura Reason, Rev. Trey Hegar, Elder Phoebe Wear, Elder Tom Bertucci, and Elder Barbara Altgilbers.
The Carthage church worships on Wednesday evenings, because Diane also serves as CRE/CLP at First Presbyterian Church in Warsaw and First Presbyterian Church in Keokuk (East Iowa presbytery).
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From Your Finance Team
Churches,
2nd Quarter contribution statements have been mailed out. Please take the time to review them. Always remember to submit a fully completed remittance form with any check you send to the presbytery. In just the last two months we’ve received a dozen 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.
Thanks,
Sabrina
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Please click on the blocks below to follow the links: | |
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Stewardship Kaleidoscope is an annual conference offering excellent plenary speakers, informative workshop leaders, provocative worship experiences, and incredible networking opportunities for all passionate about stewardship and generosity. To learn more and register, click the link below.
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2025 Presbyterian Youth Triennium Production Team—A message from the Office of Presbyterian Youth and Triennium
Applications are now being accepted for the 2025 Presbyterian Youth Triennium Production Team.
This team consists of youth and adults who share a passion for youth ministry and work alongside staff to refine the many layers of Triennium and make this large-scale event happen.
Joining the Production Team is an incredible opportunity to serve the church, develop as a leader, form lifelong friendships, problem-solve creatively, laugh and work hard, and deepen your relationship with God. The nature of a lot of the Production Team’s work is inherently behind the scenes, and an ability to be a good listener and work well with others is of great importance.
We are striving to assemble a Production Team that is reflective of the diversity of our church and of God’s kingdom and we need your help to do this. We want team members from big cities and rural areas, big churches and little churches, and different cultures and backgrounds who are excited to come together with other Presbyterians to create an event and experience bigger than themselves.
We start fresh every three years with a new theme, new schedule, and new theological grid and are always looking for new perspectives and voices. We strongly encourage people who are Black, Indigenous, people of color, disabled, immigrants, queer, trans, and/or non-binary to apply for the 2025 Production Team. We joyfully invite church leaders to seek out congregations and individuals who are a part of these communities, spread the word about the 2025 Production Team, and encourage people to apply.
For more information or to fill out an application, please visit the Triennium website. Please note that applications will be accepted through September 15, 2023.
Article and Images from MidCouncil Relations Newsletter, July 5, 2023
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Church Financial Leadership Grants available now
If you are a pastor, commissioned ruling elder (CRE), a leader of a 1001 New Worshiping Community or a member of a stewardship team we have Church Financial Leadership Grants available for you. The grants will enable you to institute best practices for church financial leadership, introduce you to new models of giving and stewardship, and offer you new ways to talk about money and form generous disciples within your church.
Who can apply?
PCUSA pastors
Commissioned Ruling Elders
1001 New Worshiping Community leaders
Church member attending the event with their pastor
What do the funds cover?
The grants are matching funds to help cover half of the cost of:
Registration fees
Transportation
Lodging
Meals
Other expenses
The other half of the funds will need to be provided by the church or another source.
What events can I use the funds for?
Stewardship Kaleidoscope
Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising (ECRF) through the Lake Institute
Other church financial leadership events (subject to approval)
What is the deadline?
For Stewardship Kaleidoscope, we are asking that applications be sent in by Tuesday, August 15 so that we have time to process the application and send out the funds prior to the start of the event. Applications received after the deadline or for the ECRF program will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Once we receive your application, it may take up to six weeks to process.
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SOLT is looking forward to launching two new coaching initiatives later this year: A Coaching Summit and Retirement Small Group Coaching.
Dates are not set yet but click on the link below if you are interested.
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Synod Program for New Pastors
A new version of the synod-wide New Pastors program is in the works! The design team will meet with Sara Dingman in August to start planning.
We want to hear from you! Did you participate in the Synod of Lincoln Trails New Pastors program? Do you have ideas on how to faithfully equip new leaders? Let us know! https://s.surveyplanet.com/lj06j0vu
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Click the button below for the entire July 2023 issue. | |
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2023 Assembly Dates
August 26 at Peoria United
November 11 at Faith United, Monmouth
In-person and Virtual
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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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Acting Stated Clerk for General Assembly Named
As you may be aware, the Stated Clerk of the PC(USA), Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, recently announced his decision to step down at the end of June. The Rev. Bronwen Boswell, currently general presbyter/stated clerk of Shenandoah Presbytery in Virginia, has been named Acting Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Boswell.
Read more . . . https://www.pcusa.org/news/2023/6/22/bronwen-boswell-named-acting-stated-clerk-gen-asmb/
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Vacation Opportunity
Valley Community Presbyterian Church in Richfield, Utah is excited to welcome active or retired pastors and CLPs for some vacation time! They are offering their parsonage to any PCUSA pastor/CRE who would like to spend a week or two (or longer) in Utah for their 2023 summer/early fall vacation. In return, they ask the pastor/CLP to preach the Sundays they are in town. It is a great opportunity to spend some time in the great outdoors, while they bring their favorite sermon to preach. The church is located in Richfield Utah, about an hour away from Zion, Bryce, and Moab National Parks.
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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)
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)
Lead Presbyter Ann Schwartz 309-683-6983 Email: aschwartz@greatriverspby.org
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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