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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.
December 1, 2023
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PGR Newsletter Schedule
The final 2023 newsletter will go out on December 15. Please send any articles for publication to Crystal by Tuesday, December 12, at 5 pm.
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Presbytery Closures for the Holidays
PGR offices will be closed and staff will be on vacation for Christmas, beginning Friday, Dec. 22, 2023, through Monday, Jan. 1, 2024.
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Assembly Dates for 2024
Tuesday, Feb. 20th - 6pm - Online-only
Saturday, April 20th - Hybrid at 1st Pres. Milan
Saturday, August 24th - Hybrid at 2nd Pres., Bloomington
Saturday, November 9th - Hybrid at Peoria
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Electronic Giving Is Now Available
The Presbytery of Great Rivers can now accept electronic payments from individuals for Assembly offerings, lunches, and Presbytery Mission Giving.
There is a $500 limit for online giving. Churches should still issue checks or have payment sent from their online bank service for per capita and mission giving.
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From the Lead Presbyter
This is my least favorite time of the year—not Advent or Christmas, but the season of meteorological winter, which begins today (December 1) and lasts through the end of February. In our part of the world—the Northern Hemisphere, the midwestern United States, and central Illinois in particular—we can anticipate cold and all of its icy expressions. What may be worse (which is saying a lot) is the relentless darkness. The sun did not rise this morning until 7:00 a.m., and it will set at 4:30 p.m. That’s less than 10 hours of daylight! The winter solstice, the shortest day and the longest night, won’t occur for another three weeks.
Darkness is part of the natural order. In the first creation story, darkness was not created; it was already there. In Genesis we read: “The earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep” when God said, “Let there be light” (Gen. 1.2, 3). The truth is we and other living things—plants and trees and animals—need darkness for rest, recovery, and restoration. New life starts in the dark—seeds in the ground, babies in the womb, Jesus in the tomb.
During Advent we wait in the darkness of the deep winter (at least here in Illinois) and in the darkness of a broken world. As we wait for Jesus to come, we make our way to the manger in the dark—slowly, steadily, cautiously, feeling for the familiar, looking for the light, and remembering: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it” (John 1.1-5).
In her poem, “A Blessing for Traveling in the Dark,” Jan Richardson reflects:
Go slow / if you can. / Slower. / More slowly still. / Friendly dark / or fearsome, / this is no place / to break your neck / by rushing, / by running, / by crashing into / what you cannot see. / Then again, / it is true: / different darks / have different tasks, / and if you / have arrived here unawares, / if you have come / in peril / or in pain, / this might be no place / you should dawdle. / I do not know / what these shadows / ask of you, / what they might hold / that means you good / or ill. / It is not for me / to reckon / whether you should linger / or you should leave. / But this is what / I can ask for you: / That in the darkness / there be a blessing. / That in the shadows / there be a welcome. / That in the night / you be encompassed / by the Love that knows / your name.
Friends, my prayer for you in this season is that you find in the darkness of Advent the hope, the light, and the blessing of the Christ child.
Grace and peace,
Rev. Ann Schwartz
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Prayers of the Presbytery
Faithful God, your promises stand unshaken through all generations. Renew us in hope, that we may be awake and alert as we watch for the glorious return of Jesus Christ, our judge and Savior, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Prayer from: the Book of Common Worship, 2018
We pray today for:
- Bobbie Furr, spouse of Rev. Wayne Furr, College Avenue Presbyterian Church, Aledo
- Terry Moore, RE, Sugar Tree Grove Church, and spouse of CLP Pam Moore
- Rev. Debra Avery (Peoria, United Presbyterian Church)
- Cathy Strawbridge, spouse of Treasurer Bill Strawbridge
- Sarah Peterman, daughter of Arie Van Proyen, Chatham PC Treasurer
- Martha Van Proyen, mother of Arie Van Proyen, Chatham PC Treasurer
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Support the Christmas Joy Offering
During the season of Advent, we remember and reflect on God’s perfect gift, Jesus Christ. This child, the Word made flesh, became one of us. Through the Christmas Joy Offering, we honor this amazing gift by supporting leaders among us—past, present, and future. The Christmas Joy Offering supports retired ministers and church workers and their families through the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions and students in Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color as they pursue education and prepare to use their gifts in service to the church and world. Resources for interpretation of the Offering can be found here. Videos for Christmas Joy and other Special Offerings can be found here.
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Wilderness Christian Camp
Register now for summer camp, which will be held June 9-14, 2024 at Stronghold Camps & Retreat Center near Oregon, IL. The rustic setting includes 2 wooden cabins that sleep 8 each, pavilion, picnic tables, cold running water, and a porta potty in each unit. Campers will cook their own meals over a campfire, clean up the dishes, and gather the firewood needed for each meal.
Activities include Bible study, worship, and swimming each day; crafts, hiking, time in nature, games. There will be special events as well: a castle tour and trunk treats for everyone, and high ropes, canoeing and/or initiatives for older campers. Archery will be new this year.
Costs: Junior Campers (3rd-5th grades): $200; Junior High (6th-8th grades): $250; CIT (high school): $250
For more information on the camping experience, go to www.wildernesschristiancamp.org or check out the Facebook page: Wilderness Christian Camp. For individuals or congregations who would like to support the camp with your financial gifts, call Mary Watts, member at Faith United PC in Yates City, at 309-645-8988.
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Church Leadership Connection (CLC)
We continue to receive regular updates from CLC Staff about the transition to the current CLC system (sometimes called CLC.2). While we have put some of the basic forms on the COM portion of the PGR website for you, please go right to oga.pcusa.org/section/mid-council-ministries/clc/ for all the most up to date CLC resources. Guides and videos continue to be developed and added on a routine basis there. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at greatriverscom@gmail.com or to the CLC Staff with questions. We are glad to support churches and pastors with this major transition.
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New Terms of Call and Temporary Contract Forms on Website
The two forms for 2024, for called and installed pastors and Temporary relationships (Temporary and Stated Supply, CPs and Transitional Pastors), are on the Presbytery website. Please look for FORMS, then choose COM Forms. They are at the top of the page. Please note that the Book of Order change about paid Family Leave went into effect on 7/9/2023. All called and installed ministers receive this leave effective that date. Any questions? Please email greatriverscom@gmail.com
The Ministry Partners for each congregation are also found on the same page, at the top right. Due to the resignation of Joel Jackle-Hugh, please contact either Rev. Ann Schwartz (aschwartz@greatriverspby.org) or Laura Reason (greatriverscom@gmail.com) if he was your ministry partner. Thank you!
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From Your Finance Team
Churches,
Looking ahead as we race towards the fiscal end of 2023 - hold on it’s coming fast. 😲 Please be sure to cut & mail your check to PGR by Thurs 12/21/2023.
The PGR offices will be closed beginning Fri 12/22/23 thru Mon 1/1/24. Mail received during this will be credited to 2023 giving.
Anything received afterwards will show on your 2024 statements -- However, it can be applied against 2023 remaining balances.
We now have 54 of our 85 churches who have paid their 2023 Per Capita dues in full. Thank you to all those who have paid!
If you haven’t paid it yet there’s still time!!
Reach out to Sabrina at smcgrath@greatriverspby.org or 309-683-6981 to find out what remaining balance you have
Always remember to submit a fully completed remittance form with any check you send to the presbytery. We've still been receiving 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.
2024 Per Capita will be $37.25, an increase of $1. The annual Per Capita mailing was sent to the mailing address we have for your church. Packets were mailed to the attention of your clerk of session. Please watch for this. If for some reason you don't receive it, please let us know.
We’ve already had 4 churches pay their 2024 per capita in full. Thank you to Clayton, Divernon, Reynolds – Hamlet Perryton & Greenview!
Thanks,
Sabrina McGrath - Bookkeeper
Bill Strawbridge - Treasurer
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Please click on the blocks below to follow the links: | |
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Paid Leave for All Workers Act
Starting January 1, 2024, the Paid Leave for All Workers (PLAW) Act will take effect in Illinois. This act mandates that all workers, irrespective of their status as full-time or part-time, are entitled to earn and use up to 40 hours of paid leave time each year. The legislation provides that paid leave shall accrue at the rate of one hour for every 40 hours worked. Employees will be paid their full wage while on leave and tipped workers will be paid the minimum wage in their respective locale. An employer cannot require an employee to find their replacement for the leave.
The Illinois Department of Labor is in the process of preparing guidance and other resources and materials to educate employees and assist employers with compliance. If you have any questions or comments to inform their outreach and compliance assistance efforts, you may do so by emailing: DOL.PaidLeave@illinois.gov
Below are a few links that give more information on the PLAW Act.
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The PLAWA pdf is at the bottom of the Financial Page of the website. The financial page is the middle link above. | |
Opportunities for Church Leaders | |
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The Matthew 25 Summit
The Matthew 25 Summit will bring mid-councils, churches, and individuals together to explore this vision. What does it mean to eradicate poverty; how can we begin dismantling systemic racism; how will we know if we are building a vital congregation? Featuring innovative speakers, thriving ministries, transformative workshops, and space to imagine what’s next!
Join us in Atlanta, GA, January 16-18, 2024, for the Matthew 25 Summit!
Learn more here: https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/matthew-25-summit-an-invitation-to-innovation/?fbclid=IwAR0Fg81tMxcvsKAslOhM7kxfdZmIj4uAwACNYzkrBbgceO_IzCp7hAQRtos
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Register Now for 2024 APCE
The annual gathering of the Association of Partners in Christian Education (APCE) will be in St. Louis, January 24-27, 2024. This year’s theme is “Come All Who Are Thirsty.” Pastors, professional and volunteer church educators, and seminary students can choose between the in-person or hybrid format. Click here for more information or to reserve your space https://apcenet.org/2024-annual-event/.
Thanks to the partnership between the Christian Formation Office in the PC(USA), Global Language Resources, and APCE, there is no cost to participate in AE Online in Spanish.
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Worship and Leadership Resources
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Apply Now for PC(USA) Grants and Scholarships
The Presbyterian Mission Agency offers more than 20 grants and scholarships ranging from $100 to $50,000 awarded to individuals, communities, and mid councils. Apply now at pcusa.org/grants!
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Public Domain Hymn Project
The first Christmastide videos of the Presbytery's Public Domain Hymn project are available!
While many congregations have been without regular musicians for years, the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the problem. To ease this burden, the Presbytery of Plains and Peaks in Colorado has embarked on a project to bring all of the Public Domain hymns in our denominational hymnal, Glory to God, to congregations for a small donation.
They started with the hymns for Christmas and will move on to the other public domain hymns in the new year. Working with a church musician, hymns were recorded in MIDI format and then imported into editing software so that lyrics and backgrounds could be provided. Each hymn is available with white lyrics on a black background, or with white lyrics on a colored background.
The hymns are available for a nominal donation of $3 per hymn (whether black & white or with a colored background) to help offset the cost of producing the videos.
Full information is available via their website: https://sites.google.com/a/plainsandpeaks.org/presbytery-of-plains-and-peaks/public-domain-hymn-project
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Special Days and Emphasis Sundays
Listed below are the special days and emphasis Sundays through mid-February. If a date below is not hyperlinked to available resources, please visit the Special Days and Emphasis Sundays site for ongoing updates.
December
World AIDS Day; Presbyterian HIV/AIDS Awareness (Dec. 1, 2023)
Human Rights Day (Dec. 10, 2023)
Christmas Joy Offering (Dec. 24, 2023)
January
New Year’s Day (Jan. 1, 2024)
Human Trafficking Awareness Day (Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024)
Matthew 25: Dismantle Structural Racism Sunday (Jan. 14, 2024)
Racial & Intercultural Justice/Presbyterians Affirm Black Lives Matter (Jan. 14, 2024)
Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday (Jan. 15, 2024)
Ecumenical Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins (Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024)
Per Capita Sunday (Jan. 21, 2024)
February
World Interfaith Harmony Week begins (Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024)
Remember Our Chaplains — Presbyterian Federal Chaplaincies (Feb. 4, 2024)
Presbyterian Media Sunday (Feb. 4, 2024)
Souper Bowl of Caring (Feb. 4, 2024)
Thursdays in Black (Feb. 8, 2024)
Camp and Retreat Sunday (Feb. 11, 2024)
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Got Liturgy?
The presbytery is compiling a set of grab-and-go worship services for churches whose pastors are unable to make it to worship. Many churches have an emergency binder with a lay-leadable service ready in case their pastor gets COVID - we'd like to share these resources with each other, so that churches have more options if their pastors are ill or on family leave. If you're willing to share a pre-recorded sermon or liturgy for a worship service without a sermon, please send it to Katie at katiestyrt@gmail.com. Services should not be especially seasonal, so that churches can use them at any time. Thank you!
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Along the Road – a podcast on faith and leadership for ministry leaders of the PC(USA)
Be inspired, hear the stories of others, and practice the tools of faith and leadership through conversations that nourish, enrich, and aid in the formation of leaders in the church. Congregational leaders, particularly ruling elders and deacons, will experience practices to connect faith to everyday life. You can listen to the podcast on Spotify, Apple Music, or Amazon Music.
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Service to the PC(USA)
Are You Called to Serve the Larger Church?
Is God calling you to share your gifts, talents, and expertise in elected service for the benefit of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)? The 2024 cycle of nominations for ongoing standing committees, boards, and the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission is open. Individuals who feel called to be considered for service can apply online. The deadline for nominations—except for the Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program Board (deadline December 8, 2023)—is Monday, January 8, 2024.
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Help ASG Help Councils and Congregations
A message from the Administrative Services Group
The Administrative Services Group (ASG) is creating a webpage with resources for congregations and councils to help them create or update their child/youth protection policies, which are required by the Book of Order (G-3.0106). ASG is looking for policies of PC(USA) congregations and councils to include on the webpage as samples. If your council and any of your congregations are willing to allow ASG to post your child/youth protection policies to share with those who need to create or update their policy, please email them (or a link to them) to General Counsel Mike Kirk. Thank you for your support of this important project.
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THE 226th GENERAL ASSEMBLY (2024) | |
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Call for Volunteers for the 226th General Assembly (2024)
As all church members know, the success of any event depends on the time, talents, and gifts of dedicated volunteers. Volunteers from across the church will play an essential role in supporting the 226th General Assembly (2024), which will gather both virtually and in-person from June 25-July 4, 2024.
Individuals are needed for to provide Zoom and help desk support, assist committees, and much more. Seasoned volunteers and those new to General Assembly work are welcome. If you are interested, email valerie izumi, who is coordinating the volunteer process, for more information, to explore how you might best serve, and to receive the GA 226 Volunteer Interest Form.
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Interested in Ecumenical Dialogue?
The PC(USA) is looking for new members for the General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations. For more information, contact Valerie Izumi Assistant Stated Clerk and Manager for GA Nominations.
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Avoiding Copyright Enforcement Fees
You may have heard of congregations that have found themselves liable for expensive claims for using copyrighted images captured from the internet without a license. (The same is true for music.) Learn more from PMA Communications Director DeEtte Decker.
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PDA Humanitarian Response in Israel/Palestine
As violence escalates in and around Israel/Palestine, PDA is providing humanitarian assistance through partners on the ground and through ACT Alliance. Their efforts encompass a wide array of vital humanitarian interventions, including but not limited to medical supplies, shelter, WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene), food and non-food items and delivering crucial psychosocial support to individuals. To support PDA’s work in the Middle East, designate gifts to DR000081-Israel/Palestine.
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Click on the image above to subscribe to their newsletter! | |
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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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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) and is available until 4 pm CST Monday thru Wednesday and Friday, and 1:45 pm EST on Thursdays. 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-3pm (Central Time)
Lead Presbyter Ann Schwartz 309-683-6983 Email: aschwartz@greatriverspby.org
Ann's Sabbath Day is Friday.
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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