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.

March 25, 2022
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.
Click here for the 2022 Rotating Prayer List.
(Please let us know if you see any mistakes that we overlook so we can update our prayer list!)
SPECIAL CALLED ASSEMBLY
TOMORROW
Date: March 14, 2022
To: All Minister Members of Great Rivers Presbytery and all Ruling Elder Commissioners

Re: Special Called Assembly: March 26, 2022 @ 9am on Zoom At the request of the Committee on Ministry, the Ministers of Word and Sacrament have called a Special Presbytery Meeting for the above date and time. The purpose of the meeting is as follows:

The Presbytery of Great Rivers will meet in a Special Called Assembly at 9:00 am, Saturday, March 26, 2022. The meeting will be held over zoom to transact one item of business:

1) To form an Administrative Commission under the guidelines of the Book of Order in G-3.0109b(5): Administrative commissions are designated to consider and conclude matters not involving ecclesiastical judicial process, except that in the discharge of their assigned responsibilities they may discover and report to the designating council matters that may require judicial action by the council. Functions that may be entrusted to administrative commissions include, but are not limited to: (5) visiting particular *congregations* over which they have immediate jurisdiction reported to be affected with disorder, and inquiring into and settling the difficulties therein.

The only business to be transacted at this special meeting will be in regard to the one item detailed above and any ancillary business attached thereto.


Register for the zoom meeting by following the link:
Staffing & Task Force
INVITATION
Greetings Great Rivers!
 
   The Staffing and Finance Task Force is inviting you to add your voice to our work in finding the path forward for our Presbytery. Recently we submitted to you the attached 10 recommendations that we hope might strengthen our connections and ability to serve our communities in the name of Jesus Christ. While these are not the final product or answer to our situation, we believe this list, if implemented, can serve us well. Now it’s your turn to share your thoughts on these suggestions. We know you have a lot of wisdom, and that’s exactly what is needed. The 4 discussion times will be one hour of your precious time—we will honor our promise to not keep you longer.

  Here are some questions that might get us started:

1. How do you see these recommendations beginning to address the needs of our Presbytery?

2. What would make these recommendations better?

3. Which recommendation most excites you? And why?

4. How have people within your orbit responded to these recommendations?

5. Which of these recommendations might you personally work to fulfill? How?
 
 The zoom links attached will work with any of these discussions.  Please plug in on the day that works best for you, and join your colleagues to think forward for the life and well-being of our Presbytery:
 

Wednesday, March 30 at 11:00 AM
Tuesday, April 5 at 6:30 PM
Thursday, April 7 at 9:30 AM
Wednesday, April 13 at 4:00 PM


Ten Action Items to Strengthen our Presbytery
Click the button below to check out the action items!
Wednesday, March 30 at 11:00 AM

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 856 5946 4112
Tuesday, April 5 at 6:30 PM

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 884 7600 3596
Thursday, April 7 at 9:30 AM

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 829 6950 3761
Wednesday, April 13 at 4:00 PM

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 826 9258 8475
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
Quarterly Resource Preview
February/March 2022

Special Offerings and the Presbyterian Giving Catalog
One Great Hour of Sharing is the single largest way that Presbyterians come together every year to work for a better world. Typically received on Easter Sunday, which this year falls on April 17, the annual offering supports Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program and Self-Development of People. All three programs work in different ways to serve individuals and communities in need to provide people with safety, sustenance, and hope. Looking for information for Special Offerings in 2022? Click here for a flyer that shares those dates as well as the distribution of each offering and how to remit funds.
 
2021–2022 Presbyterian Giving Catalog Impact Guide
Your Church Your Mission Impact Guide shares stories of impact, provides ideas for group events and activities, and includes a list of special days to inspire giving in 2022. Download the resource by clicking here.
 
Are you ready to begin Your Matthew 25 journey?

Click HERE to see more!
Session Record Review Information
2022 Assembly Dates

May 17, 2022 at 4:00pm - Normal, First
August 30, 2022 at 4:00pm - Springfield, Hope
November 19, 2022 at 10:00am - Milan, First
Church Session Trustee Report for 2021
If your church has not submitted these please send them to smcgrath@greatriverspby.org.
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.

With Threads of Connection, caring is the tie that binds.

Acts of love, compassion and support can make a welcome impact in our communities. Whether it's a gesture of congratulations following a promotion, a thoughtful keepsake to show your appreciation, or to simply recognize someone special in your life, something created by the loving hands of your Presbyterian family creates a connection that benefits everyone.

Encourage your church members to participate in the Presbyterian Giving Catalog’s Threads of Connection activity, so your congregation can wrap neighbors in the warmth of Presbyterian love.

Click ---> Get Started

In this activity, members of all ages and skill levels come together to create unique masterpieces, while also enjoying fellowship with a purpose. The joy experienced when showing kindness paired with the fun of creating something from scratch has made this activity extremely popular with congregations from California to Connecticut.

"It was thrilling to see the Threads of Connection activity flying off our table at the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators event last month," said William McConnell, interim director, Presbyterian Giving Catalog. "Church leaders seemed to be most excited about the opportunity to vividly demonstrate that when we join our efforts together, we can create something beautiful. And that the activity can be used for people of all ages!"

Don’t wait – encourage your congregation to start their first Threads of Connection project today!
Click ---> Get Started
For more than 70 years, our gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing
have connected us in God’s healing, tending and growing
to create a world where all needs are met.

Thanks to your heartfelt gifts, One Great Hour of Sharing currently supports projects in more than 100 countries. Visit pcusa.org/oghsmap for locations and ministries.

Each day at or after a meal time, consider these reflections and questions for the week ahead. Place a coin or a “gift” in your fish coinbank or a jar, and end by saying the prayer of the week or one of your own.

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
COM Ministry Transitions

Ministry Transitions is a subcommittee of the Committee on Ministry (COM), and makes sure we stay connected to congregations that are in some phase of transition, which begins when a pastoral relationship, may pass through temporary relationships, and is complete at the beginning of a new established pastoral relationship. We could not do the work of our subcommittee without all the hard work of every single member of COM, who serve as Ministry Partners to all of our congregations. We want to be in contact monthly with every congregation in transition. We're pleased to report that due to the commitment and follow through of our whole committee, we had updates on all but five of our churches.  We are thankful for all the dedicated members of COM and for our congregations who work so cooperatively with them.
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 10:30am live worship and Wednesday 6:00pm 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?