March 30, 2023

Mission Opportunity

Blackhawk/Imenti Presbytery Partnership

The Kenya Partnership Committee is hoping to host 15 of our Kenyan Partners from September 8 to September 18.  We look forward to learning from their perspectives on such topic as evangelism, church growth, music and worship, climate change, and poverty.  If your church is interested in having a Kenyan partner visit your church for a Sunday service or weekday event, please contact Claire Brennecka clairebrennecka3@gmail.com.

Pastoral Leadership Options

You are invited to explore how a congregation can continue to worship in this ever-changing world, despite not having a called pastor, decrease in membership, diminishing funds, etc. The Task Force (P.L.O.E.T.) explored a variety of non-traditional models and distilled them into a brief report and summary table (below).

Please find the report on our website (blackhawkpresbytery.org/resources-for-leadership) and contact us for assistance in discerning your path forward.

Interactive Digital Resource Guide

Books & Resources for Each Focus Area:

• BUILDING CONGREGATIONAL VITALITY
• DISMANTLING STRUCTURAL RACISM
• ERADICATING SYSTEMIC POVERTY

Matthew 25:31–46 calls all of us to actively engage in the world around us, so our faith comes alive and we wake up to new possibilities. Convicted by this passage, the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, the organization that operates PC(USA) Store, has accepted the invitation to become a Matthew 25 organization. As part of this commitment, we are dedicated to providing books and resources for churches, groups, and mid-councils who have also accepted this invitation. In this guide, you’ll find resources that specifically address your group’s focus area in the Matthew 25 initiative.

If you’re not a Matthew 25 organization, but are interested in beginning the process, there are links on the first page to help guide your journey.

Pens in Action

The Galena First Mission Committee sponsored their first Bread for the World Offering of Letters on March 12, after a St. Patrick's Day potluck. 

Several members stayed to write at total of 24(!) letters to our Illinois Senators and Representative. The focus was to advocate for social justice and food equity as Congress works on the 2023 Farm Bill - with 70% earmarked for hunger programs in the US and abroad.  

The Mission Committee provided sample letters, stationary, pens, stamps, suggestions for content and mailed the letters written at the event. Some members took sample letters home and wrote/mailed letters and sent emails to elected legislators. Great job everyone!

An Invitation from Bread for the World and Blackhawk Matthew 25: 

Join us in putting an end to hunger

Every year, Bread for the World organizes churches, community organizations, and people of faith from across the country to write letters and emails to their members of Congress who have the power to impact the policies and programs that can end hunger.  

This year’s “ask” is centered on reauthorization of the Farm Bill. Please find out more.

This Flyer can be customized for your church's Offering of Letters.

Gibson City First Awarded for

Lifetime Achievement

First Presbyterian was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for 2022 by the Gibson Area Chamber of Commerce at their awards banquet in early March. The picture includes Pastor Ray Lantz and Elders who served in 2022. As noted by Pastor Lantz “We love doing God’s will in Gibson City.” It was announced that their 8-page nomination was overwhelming with all the things we did to positively affect the Community. "We are truly blessed to be able to do this and to be recognized." Well Done!

Reclaiming Our Calling:

Deacons & Ruling Elders and the

Care of Souls 

A Leader Formation Webinar

April 27, 2023; 6-7:30 pm (central)

Are you seeking a more vibrant ministry of pastoral care that does not solely rely on the pastor? Have you ever wondered what to say when visiting someone who is navigating cancer or a chronic illness? Do you find yourself struggling between how to validate people's emotions and how to assure them of the promises of God? Join us as we explore the care of souls in a congregational context and the role that ruling elders and deacons play in that important work.

INFO HERE: Registration Deadline April 19, 2023

Recordings of past Webinars are available and made possible by your per capita dollars.

Geneva Fox Valley and Morrison First Now Certified as

PC(USA) Earth Care Congregations

Congratulations to two new congregations who took the considerable step to be certified as an Earth Care Congregation by the Presbyterian Hunger Program. Fox Valley and Morrison First join Ridgefield-Crystal Lake and Woodstock First in their commitment to take seriously God’s charge to “till and keep” the garden. Yearly recertification is required, so kudos to all four congregations!

READ MORE

For more information on the Earth Care Congregations program visit www.pcusa.org/earthcarecongregations.

In Memoriam

Please remember these families as they grieve the recent loss of their loved one:

Anthony D'Souza, husband of Pastor Barbara D'Souza, passed away March 6. Barbara is the Pastor of Children's Ministries at Rockford Westminster.

Roger Hartman, husband of Jan Hartman, passed away February 26. Jan was the former Stronghold Director of Operations & Program Development.

Lois Whitlock, wife of Rev. James Whitlock, passed away March 2. Jim is an Honorably Retired member of Blackhawk, living in Naperville. Please contact the office if you need their addresses.

Presbytery of Blackhawk

Our Vision and Values

     Grounded in the biblical image for human community, as disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ, we challenge and support congregations to be thriving faith communities by facilitating competent leadership and resourcing to energize ministry and mission.

     As Christians, guided by the principles of love, trust, open communication, and genuine relationships, we value each other as sisters and brothers in faith in all our varied theological understandings. Therefore, we relish respectful discussions of differing opinions as a necessary part of discerning the will of God.