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.
April 22, 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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IMPORTANT: May 17th Assembly Online Only
The Leadership team had an emergency meeting on 4/7/22 regarding the May assembly. The transition to in-person meetings will take more time and energy to figure out details. We reluctantly decided that the May assembly will only meet on Zoom. We are creating a task group to work out the best plan for future meetings.
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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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We are Proud to Announce…!
One of the hallmarks of Presbyterian theology is the connectional nature of our polity. We are all a part of the work of Jesus Christ, connected in our faith, and in support of our siblings across PCUSA. Here at Great Rivers we will soon be living this in a significant way! Beginning in May we will share an important resource with our neighboring Presbytery across the river in East Iowa. We will be sharing our Stated Clerk!
Rev. Elissa Bailey has been serving us in this capacity since 2012 and has helped us in numerous ways to meet our goals and seek our way in the midst of change. When East Iowa Presbytery needed an clerk, they contacted Elissa to see if she would assist them for 15 hours per week. After some discussion and exploration, they then came to us to see if we could work out an arrangement. It would require our two Presbyteries to provide Board of Pensions benefits to Elissa and her family. What we came to realize is that to share General Assembly and Continuing Education expenses with East Iowa would allow us to provide our share of this benefit in a way that kept our costs relatively steady. It also allows Elissa to do this thing she loves and to serve another group of Christ’s servant churches.
The Personnel Committee is proud to announce this sharing arrangement. We are so proud of Elissa and know that she will be a wonderful gift to East Iowa-- as she has been to us! In addition, we believe this sharing will help us to learn and grow, as well. Elissa will continue to gain new skills and insights as Stated Clerk. We will learn from her experiences in East Iowa, just as they will gain similar benefits as Elissa brings our best practices to them. Congratulations Rev. Elissa Bailey!
By Joyce Chamberlin, Chair of Personnel
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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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MISSION SPOT
The women’s missionary group from 1st Cumberland Presbyterian in Lincoln and Knox Presbyterian in Springfield has been busy this year in spite of the closing of Knox Church. The gifted tailor’s in the group made clothes for needy children: summer shorts and outfits, summer and winter pajamas, summer and winter skirts and dresses that were distributed through 3 local charities. 51 Easter baskets were made. Eleven new boys’ uniform shirts, shoes and food items were donated to Harvard Park Elementary School. Also several hundred new items for boys and girls were purchased, such as t-shirts, socks and underwear, new shoes, leggings for girls and blankets.
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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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Clerk's Corner:
There is still one more date on the calendar for Session Minute Reviews. The remaining date is Tuesday, April 26th and the location is at the First Presbyterian Church in Lewistown. There are a few spots left. However, please know that I will work with you if you are unable to make this review or have not been able to make any of the dates. It is important to me that you have the opportunity to get your minutes reviewed and ask questions as needed. Please reach out and we will figure out a time and place.
Our next Clerk's Convo is scheduled for Wednesday, April 27th at 4pm. This is a time for Session Clerks to gather via Zoom to build relationships with other clerks and ask questions and discuss what is happening within the Presbytery and how they are fulfilling their roles as clerks and if there are ways to do things differently. Always feel free to come with questions.
Here is the link:
Or:
Meeting ID: 824 7748 7297
Passcode: 832216
Friends, as always, contact me with any questions. Starting May 1st, you will notice I will be starting to have regular office hours as I am transitioning roles from a congregational pastor into my Stated Clerk roles. Thank you for all you do!
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RULING ELDERS
Regarding Ruling Elders: A Monthly Series for Serving Faithfully
Highlighting the Verbs—Question A
Julie Hester - February 15, 2022
Do you trust in Jesus Christ your Savior, acknowledge him Lord of all and Head of the Church, and through him believe in one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? (W-4.0404 a.)
There’s a lot packed into the first question asked during ordination and installation. If you were already overwhelmed by being ordained, installed, and expected to function faithfully, this first question might tip you over the edge. It only asks about your ultimate trust, salvation, ecclesiology, and theology of the Trinity. No big deal. You could answer yes without much thought, but I suspect you want to agree with what you are promising. Where to start?
Click HERE to read the rest of the article.
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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.
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!
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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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