Image: Joint choirs from the First Presbyterian Church of Geneseo and the First Congregational Church of Geneseo combine in celebration of the retirement of a beloved UCC pastor. These two congregations are one of many ecumenical partnerships who have shared combined worship and study together.

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.

November 6, 2021
We understand that access to vaccinations have now been expanded to even more children, and pastors up and down our presbytery are receiving their vaccine boosters. 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.
Click here for the 2021 Rotating Prayer List.
(Please let us know if you see any mistakes that we overlook so we can update our prayer list!)

May we also keep in prayer the Rev. Jerrod Lowry and his family, Executive Presbyter/Stated Clerk of Coastal Carolina, upon the death of his beloved spouse Molly Lowry. He has three children.



May we keep the family of Rev. Dr. Blythe Kieffer (Westminster Springfield) in our prayers upon the death of her mother, Betty Jellema Denham (94), after being surrounded by the love and care of Peter and Blythe at their home for the last three and a half years. A memorial service honoring her life will be Saturday, November 27th at 3pm at Westminster. Her arrangements are being supported by Butler Funeral Home in Springfield.
"COMMISSIONERS ASSEMBLE!"
Presbytery of Great Rivers
Assembly Notice
NEXT SATURDAY
Saturday, November 13, 2021
(via Zoom)
Call to Order 8:30 a.m,
Site opens at 8:00 a.m
 
CLICK HERE for the registration link for the meeting.
Please register before Friday, November 12th at 7pm
 
In compliance with Robert's Rules of Order and our bylaws, our November 13 assembly will be conducted virtually, which means you will be able to access the meeting by internet device or telephone.
 
ANTICIPATED HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Boundary and Ethics Training Led by Rev. Fran Lane-Lawrence (with an offering for an optional follow up conversation for deeper conversation on Wednesday, December 1st from 10-11am)

  • Sermon and Final Report by Lead Presbyter for Transformation Rev. Ryan Landino

  • Installation of New Moderator, Moderator-Elect, and Stated Clerk Elissa Bailey

  • Worship With Communion

  • Reports from the Personnel Committee on Next Steps, and also from the Moderator's Taskforce on Staffing and Finance

  • Second reading of bylaw changes strengthening the work of Personnel, the Committee on Ministry, and the requested proposal of a new Committee on Accessibility, Representation, and Equity (C.A.R.E.)

  • Approval of new partners for work on important committees up and down our presbytery to support our congregations

  • Time for solidarity, community, and prayer
 
Material should be posted to the presbytery website the week leading up to the meeting, but please allow for changes and delays as our work continues to be done leading up to the assembly.

A Word on Tech Support:

Rev. Katie Styrt will be available to answer any Zoom questions and provide tech support! If you need help getting into the meeting, asking questions, or checking sound on your phone or computer, just contact her at 402-417-5901. The Presbytery meeting Zoom will be open at 8:00am for our 8:30 meeting - if you are not comfortable with Zoom, please log in early so we can help you. 
Introducing our Boundary Training Leader!

We have the honor of having Rev. Fran Lane-Lawrence join us as the facilitator of our 2021 Boundary and Ethics Training! She will be offering a voluntary follow-up on December 1st at 10-11am as an opportunity to go deeper in conversation.

"My name is Fran Lane-Lawrence and I serve as the Transitional EP/Stated Clerk for the Presbytery of Lake Michigan. I have served as a pastor for more that 20 years. – brief bit of background: I studied both the congregational dynamics of clergy sexual misconduct and the power dynamics related to church leaders/clergy who cross sexual boundaries within congregations with the Rev. Dr. Nancy Ramsey; I served as a Hospital and Court advocate/chaplain at the Center for Women and Families working with victims of domestic and sexual violence, I served as a Regional Trainer for Interfaith Clergy focusing on the dynamics power of clergy sexual misconduct and boundary violations within congregations. I am certified by both Faith Trust Institute and the Ecumenical Center for Christian Leadership as a facilitator/trainer for boundary and ethics. I have been teaching boundary and ethics for nearly my whole career. I use a conglomeration of the materials I have gather from several institutions. The boundary information isn’t specifically Christians, rather it is ecumenical and interfaith – but all relates to relationships, work and power dynamics within faith communities."


Here are the Basics of what you can expect to explore together on Saturday:

  • Why Boundaries and Ethics
  • The Power Dynamic We Have – Whether we want them or not
  • Social Media is a Great Tool – Until It Isn’t
  • Is it a Confidence or is it a Secret – and Why Does It Matter
  • Who should we tell – Mandated Reporting
  • PCUSA Ethical Standards for Church Leaders – We are all in this together
  • Child Protection Policies
  • Covenant of Closure – What’s a Ruling Elder to do
  • What will put you on the fast track to judicial process
  • Great Rivers Policy – Use it or Lose It -Issues of Liability – Why have a sexual misconduct policy

This presentation will be recorded.

Rev. Lane-Lawrence will be offering an voluntary follow-up conversation session that will permit participants to go deeper in conversation and explore more examples together. That session will be on Wednesday, December 1st from 10-11am Central Time. Stay tuned by newsletter for the registration link.

For credit satisfying yearly boundary training: you can attend the training on 11/13. Those who cannot attend on November 13th but can on December 1st will be required to view the 11/13 recording before being able to attend on the 1st. Note you will only qualify for the yearly boundary training if 1) you participated in the 11/13 presentation, or 2) you attend on December 1st after viewing the 11/13 recording and have contacted either Andy Sonneborn (Committee on Ministry, Chair of Subcommittee on Training and Resources revandysonneborn@gmail.com) or Elissa Bailey (Stated Clerk pastorebailey@gmail.com)
On Saturday, 11/6, the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy did indeed by presbytery election affirm the call of Rev. Ryan Landino to serve as their next Presbytery Leader, effective February 1st. His last working day with Great Rivers Presbytery will be Friday, December 17th. Here is the link to the Ryan's October 15th announcement to Great Rivers, expressing his gratitude for our shared ministry here.
*PAST DUE:
CALL TO BE A GENERAL ASSEMBLY COMMISSIONER

PLEASE HELP ENSURE THAT OUR PRESBYTERY HAS A VOICE AT THIS YEAR'S GENERAL ASSEMBLY!

Great Rivers Presbytery is still seeking applicants for
 
·    one female Ruling Elder Commissioner,
·    one male Ruling Elder Commissioner, and 
·    one Young Adult Advisory Delegate (YAAD) 


CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

Those wishing to apply to be nominated to serve as a commissioner or YAAD at this year’s General Assembly can fill out this application by October 31st, to be presented at the November 13th assembly.
Grace and Peace, the faithful saints of Great Rivers Presbytery!

The upcoming General Assembly will be very different from the traditional in-person Assembly, and even from the 224th General Assembly, which was held online in June 2020. The docket adopted by COGA provides that all Assembly meetings will be held between Saturday, June 18, and Saturday, July 9. Please read the following information carefully to discern if you can serve as a commissioner.

Planning Time for Assembly Meetings

The meetings of the 225th General Assembly will be a blend between in-person Assembly committee meetings held at the Presbyterian Center in Louisville and online plenaries convened via Zoom.

How will this work?

All Assembly meetings will be held between Friday, June 17, 2022, and Saturday, July 9, 2022. Commissioners and advisory delegates are asked to hold this full block of time until they have been notified of their Assembly committee assignment. Assembly committee assignment and specific dates for travel to Louisville will be distributed on or about Feb. 28, 2022. Requests to change committee assignments due to scheduling conflicts or other preferences cannot be honored due to the committee assignment requirements of the GA Standing Rules.

What are the time commitments for commissioners and advisory delegates while in Louisville for Assembly committee meetings?

Teaching elders and ruling elders considered for election as commissioners must be able to be in attendance for the duration of the General Assembly (SR B.1.c.). This will mean a considerable commitment of time to participate fully in both in-person and online meetings that will make up this Assembly.

  • Most commissioners and advisory delegates will spend four nights and three full days in Louisville for Assembly committee meetings.

  • There will be some commissioners assigned to four specific committees who will have an additional two days and nights in Louisville so that they can constitute the in-person quorum required for Plenary 1.

  • While in Louisville, commissioners and advisory delegates should expect to spend up to 12 hours each day (including breaks) in Assembly committee meetings and other Assembly events.

  • Meals and lodging during this time will be provided through the per capita budget.

What are the time commitments for the Zoom online plenary sessions?

  • During the online plenaries on Saturday, June 18, 2022, and Tuesday, July 5, 2022, through Saturday, July 9, 2022, commissioners and advisory delegates should expect to spend up to 12 hours each day (including breaks) in worship, plenary gatherings and other Assembly functions. Each day will begin with worship at 11 a.m. (EDT).

  • Commissioners and advisory delegates should make plans to be present for the full day on each of these days, as if attending a meeting out of town. Presbyteries are encouraged to make plans to gather their commissioners and advisory delegates in person for plenary meetings when possible.

  • Nomination forms for Ministers of Word and Sacrament (Teaching Elder), Ruling Elder Commissioners to the 225th General Assembly are now posted on the Presbytery website [www.greatriverspby.org]. Nomination forms for the Young Adult Advisory Delegates (YAADs) are also posted. These forms can ONLY be submitted electronically. No paper copies will be accepted.

Application Steps

  • All applications should be emailed to Chuck Goodman, Nominating Committee member, Moderator-Elect at HPCPastorchuck@yahoo.com or Julio Garcia, Nominating Committee Chair at julieman6@yahoo.com, attached as a word document or pdf. The file should be named [LAST NAME]GAapp

  • Teaching Elders (MSWs) may submit forms on their own, and if currently serving a congregation the endorsement of the session is required before submitting.

  • Ruling Elders and those seeking to be YAADs will complete the form and send it to their Clerk or Moderator of Session. The Clerk or Moderator shall complete and submit the form after the Session has endorsed the nomination.

Transportation to the General Assembly, and room and board are reimbursed for commissioners and YAADS in accordance with General Assembly policy. A Dependent Care Reimbursement Policy was developed for commissioners and advisory delegates to the General Assembly – beginning with the 222nd GA (2016). Follow this link for info: https://www.pcusa.org/resource/dependent-care-reimbursement-policy-commissioners-/
All forms are due by Sunday, October 31, 2021. The election and commissioning of commissioners, alternate commissioners, a YAAD and an alternate YAAD will happen at the November 13, 2021 stated meeting of Great Rivers Presbytery.

If you have questions about this process, please call the presbytery office or MSW Chuck Goodman, Nominating Committee member, Moderator-Elect (217-801-7965) or Julio Garcia julieman6@yahoo.com, 217-801-7965

Thank you for your willingness to serve the church in this special way!

Nominating Committee
2022 Youth Triennium: Invitation to Serve as Volunteer Delegation Registrar!

PLEASE LET THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE KNOW BY THIS TUESDAY NOVEMBER 9TH, BEFORE 9AM IF YOU HAVE INTEREST TO SERVE IN THIS ROLE!
(Acting Chair of Nominating: Julio Garcia: julieman6@yahoo.com)

Youth Triennium is a national gathering for High School youth hosted by the PCUSA every three years. This year's upcoming Triennium will be July 24-27, 2022 in Indianapolis, IN! Registration will open February 1st, 2022 and close June 10, 2022. Click HERE for an article on how this year's triennium will be different!

In order to make sure that this can be an amazing experience for our young people, one thing that we are requested to provide is a volunteer Presbytery Delegation Registrar! From their website:

"Registration for each of these delegations is made possible by wonderful volunteers appointed by Mid Councils and Caucuses. Every presbytery in the denomination is invited by the Office of Presbyterian Youth and Triennium to appoint a registrar. These volunteer registrars are called Delegation Registrars. Each delegation registrar is responsible for developing and building their delegation. They then work with the National Registrar to register and prepare all participants from their delegation for Triennium."

If you or anyone you know is interested in serving in this capacity, please let our virtual assistant Lindsay know (office@greatriverspby.org) by the end of November! The national coordinator will come alongside our volunteer registrar to assist them in every way that they need. Helpful checklists and other responsibilities are listed here:


Might you be willing to serve?

Let's ensure this is an amazing, formative experience for our young people!
SCAM ALERT: "Request for Gift Cards"
 
Just a friendly notice that members of presbyteries across the country are continuing to be targeted for scam requests for gift cards. The way they work is they come in someone's familiar name, like the presbytery leader, but from fake email addresses, often gmail. Sometimes they say "I have an emergency!" (that needed gift cards?), other times "I want to host a surprise appreciation event"--this week when it happened again it was "I am in a meeting and need them." This continues to be a regular issue. Please now you don't even have to ask: it's not me. I, nor any mid council leader, will EVER personally request random financial assistance outside of normal channels through email. Please verify the email address and then promptly delete. Thank you!
 
Ryan Landino
Lead Presbyter for Transformation of Great Rivers Presbytery 
Looking for Church Inventory?

Knox Presbytery Church is has three bishop chairs and communion table available to any ministries who need them. From the church:

"The clerks have compiled a complete inventory of their property. We will send along more items from the inventory as they become available. Questions should be directed to Pastor Paula at 231-288-6870."
Still looking for Alternative, Online Worship?
(PLEASE LET US KNOW IF ANYTHING HAS CHANGED!)
 
Here are several possibilities for connecting to different worship spaces around the presbytery. This is a listing of the last Sunday's offerings of different churches providing worship. Please let us know if there have been any changes so we can keep our list updated!


  • Alexis-Norwood Presbyterian Church, Commissioned Pastor Gary Denise Pullen, 10:30 am on Facebook live, on his personal page.

  • Bartonville-Trinity Presbyterian Church has on-line worship on Facebook page and Their Website



  • Bloomington-St Luke Union Church, Rev. Andy Gifford, Sunday at 10:30am in person, and Facebook live Sunday at 10:30 am and posted to YouTube Each Monday morning.






  • Elmwood-First Presbyterian Church, Rev. Marla Bauler, worship led by Zoom (link can be obtained by pastor), then posted afterwards to Facebook.

  • Farmington-First Presbyterian Church, Rev. Andy Sonneborn, 10:30 am by Facebook live.

  • Galesburg-First Presbyterian Church, Rev. Kay Daniel, 10 am by Facebook live


  • Jacksonville-First Presbyterian Church, Rev. Jonathan Warren, 10 am by Facebook live.

  • Leroy-First United Presbyterian Church, recorded YouTube videos of their services posted later on their Facebook page.

  • Lincoln-First Presbyterian Church of Lincoln, 10:00 am by Facebook live (older recorded sermons also on church website)





  • Peoria-First Federated Church, streaming and video on their Facebook





  • Rio-Rio Presbyterian Church, Rio (and Sunbeam Presbyterian Church of Aledo), Rev. Maura McGrath-Nagle, 9:00 am by Facebook live.

  • Rock Island-Gloria Dei Presbyterian Church, Rev. Drew Nagle, 10:30 am, by Facebook live, and posted afterwards.



  • Springfield-First Presbyterian Church, Rev. Susan Phillips, www.LincolnsChurch.org has links for Sunday 10:30 live worship and Wednesday 5:30 service.

  • Springfield-Hope Presbyterian Church, Rev. Chuck Goodman, 9:30 am by Facebook live


  • Springfield-Third-Presbyterian Church, We are continuing with our radio broadcast on Sundays from 9-9:30am. This is broadcast on Sportsradio1450 (1450 AM or 92.3 FM). We have returned to In-person Worship on Sundays, beginning at 10am. Our In-person Worship Service is also recorded and posted on Mondays on our Facebook page (Third-Presbyterian Church).

  • Springfield-Westminster Presbyterian Church, Rev. Blythe Kieffer, Rev. Christian Choi, 10 am worship streamed online, www.wpcspi.org


  • Woodhull-United Church, Rev. Cheyanna Losey, is still posting services on YouTube and will continue them for sure into August. YouTube videos of their services posted on Facebook page.

FRIENDLY REMINDER TO NOT FORGET TO MAKE SPACE FOR THE SPIRITUAL PRACTICE OF GIVING OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS!
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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