CURRENTS. Inside this issue:

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1 PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN IN THE PRESBYTERY OF GREAT RIVERS MARCH 2014 The Reconciliation Of Humankind Through Jesus Christ The Confession of 1967(9.46c) There are times (fairly often) that I bemoan the unknown factors (due to my ignorance) that won t allow me to complete a task on my computer. But there are times (fairly often) when I find technology to be awesome. Today is one of the good days! Having been snowed out two weeks in a row from holding the PW Coordinating Team winter meeting where we plan for the annual spring gathering, the use of the internet has facilitated progress toward providing an informative and inspirational day on Saturday, April 12, 2014 at the United Presbyterian Church at Mason City, Illinois. Join your Sisters in Christ as we celebrate The Reconciliation Of Humankind Through Jesus Christ at the Spring Gathering of Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery of Great Rivers. You will have the opportunity to meet Karen Beshears from rural Sherrard, Illinois who will spend the day with us and serve as our guide as we examine our faith, our values, and our Reformed tradition. Karen served on the founding committee and is a member of Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church in Rock Island, Illinois. She has served as a Presbyterian elder for more than thirty-five years and represented the Presbytery of Great Rivers as Commissioner to the General Assembly in Currently she is the moderator of the Visioning Team of the Presbytery of Great Rivers. Aside from her roles as wife, mother, and grandmother, she has been employed as an investigative reporter, editor, and marketing manager. She has volunteered for more than twenty years with notfor-profit organizations that serve children. Karen brings a wealth of professional and personal experience and expertise to the topics that will be addressed at the Spring Gathering. Sharon Graham, Moderator II March 2014 Vol. LII Issue 1 Donna Jeffers, Editor 107 South Pine Street Washington, IL Phone jeffers2@mtco.com If you receive this newsletter by snail mail and have an address please send it to me and we will save paper and postage. We can also send it by to your church and you can have it printed there., MARCH copies by FREE 70 by snail mail $40. printing $33. postage Inside this issue: Peace/Justice/Hunger 2 Coordinating Team 3 Circle News 4 HORIZONS Report 5 Together in Service Birthday Offering 6 Spring Gathering 7 June Bible Study 8 Synod Event 9 Presbyterian Women Presbytery of Great Rivers Spring Gathering Saturday April 12, 2014 The Reconciliation of Humankind through Jesus Christ Details page 7

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3 P AGE 3 PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN/PGR COORDINATING TEAM 2014 MODERATOR I Joy Haning 410 Kathleen St. Stanford jlhaning@hotmail SEC./HISTORIAN Georgia Tufts Ravenwood Circle Bloomington Cell momjoenat@aol.com PEACE/JUSTICE/HUNGER Linda Miller 1400 Stacy Lane Macomb linmil@macomb.com MODERATOR II Sharon Graham R.R. 1 Biggsville sjgraham6227@yahoo.com TREASURER Harriet Plutz th Ave. Rock Island virginiaplutz@att.net TOGETHER IN SERVICE Ginny McKee th Ave Rock Island rogermckee3@mchsi.com Horizons PROMOTER Lois Larson Currents EDITOR Donna Jeffers th St. Moline S. Pine Washington lgarlar@qconline.com jeffers2@mtco.com CLUSTER CONTACT CLUSTER 2 Laura Gowdy 8 Crestwood Court Normal lgowdy@ilstu.edu CLUSTER 3 Lolla Ballard (H) S. 7th St. Monmouth (W) blolla@aol.com CLUSTER 4 Carol Covey 16 Grandview Drive Macomb cquail@macomb.com CLUSTER 5 Mildred Eldridge 300 E. Adams Washington millie.eldridge@yahoo.com SEARCH COMMITTEE CLUSTER 1 Shirley Nelson Knoxville Rd. Milan luke47@vhtmil.net CLUSTER 5 Cherry McIlvain 7 Brairwood Lane Rock Island cherry@mchsi.com CLUSTER 4 Amy Groff 919 East Adams Macomb groff2011@comcast.net CLUSTER 6 Yvonne Harrison 2009 Bramble Wood Normal evonush@aol.com Cell

4 P AGE 4 PW CIRCLE NEWS Sharon Graham, our PW/PGR Co- Moderator, recently asked me to write a short piece about my PW Circle, as she is interested in learning how various PW's in our Presbytery operate. At my church, Broadway Presbyterian in Rock Island, we have had an active PW for many years. However, due to declining membership and other reasons, we made the heart-wrenching decision at the end of 2013, to disband as an active PW in the Presbytery of Great Rivers. But, our story does not end on this sad note! Broadway still has two active PW Circles which will continue to meet each month for Bible study, using the Horizons study as we have for years. One Circle meets in the evening at the church, made up mostly of women who can still drive at night. Our other Circle - the reason for this article - meets at Friendship Manor, which is a retirement facility in Rock Island. We decided on this venue because several of our PW members reside there, and it was felt that they could be more easily involved in our Bible study if they didn't have to worry about leaving the building, especially during the winter. We meet at noon at the Manor, and share a delicious lunch prepared and served by the Manor kitchen. The cost for the non-resident ladies is nominal. Following lunch, we have a short business meeting, the Mission Year Book of Prayer, and then the Horizons Bible Study. We are blessed to have three circle members, retired school teachers, who present the Study on a rotating basis. In addition, we have been joined this year by our current pastor, Gay Behrensmeyer. Pastor Gay not only adds her Biblical expertise to our discussions, she also serves Communion after our meeting has adjourned to any who wish to partake, but especially to our members who reside at the Manor. Our attendance at our monthly meetings ranges from ten to sixteen, of which 5-6 women live at the Manor. Our Friendship Manor PW Circle continues as an active PW Bible Study group, and we expect it will continue as long as our members wish to do so. Lois Larson

5 P AGE 5 HORIZONS REPORT - March 2014 How many of you are aware that the Presbyterian Church (USA) has a new (2013) hymnal? The November/December 2103 Horizons magazine is entitled "Sing God's Praise - Music and Faith", and features four articles relating to this theme. One of these, written by Mary Louise Bringle, tells the story, on page 7-10, of "Glory to God", the new hymnal of our church. Ms. Bringle presents the "Story Line" of this new hymnal, explaining the differences between this one and the previous hymnals with which we are most familiar. The basic change is that of organizational structure. Instead of beginning with the liturgical year (ie Advent), then Psalms, followed by topical hymns and spiritual songs, the structure of "Glory to God" (GTG) "as a whole tells a story" (p.7). The hymnal uses the salvation history structure, beginning with "the triune God...moves to God's creation of the world...culminates with the coming of a longed-for Messiah who ushers in a promised new creations" (p.7). This article is a "must read" for anyone or any group contemplating using this new publication. In addition, scattered through out this issue of Horizons, are the answers to questions on a survey conducted earlier in 2013 by the magazine staff. 224 women responded to "what is your favorite hymn", "what kind of music do you prefer in worship?", etc. A response to this last question, on page 8, resonated with me: "...I do not care for songs up on a screen that make me feel like I am at summer camp! " It is interesting to learn which hymns are favorites. The top ten are listed on page 6; 5.70 % responded with "Are you kidding? I can't choose!" The November/ December 2013 issue of Horizons also contains information about the project grants funded by the Fellowship of the Least Coin. In addition, there is the worship service for "Celebrate the Gifts of Women Sunday" (which will be on Sunday, March 9, 2014). All in all, it is an interesting and informative edition. Lois Larson Horizons Promoter

6 P AGE 6 MARCH 2014 VOL. LII ISSUE 1 DONNA JEFFERS, EDITOR 107 SOUTH PINE STREET Together in Service PW s hands-on mission opportunities program For generations, Presbyterian women have shared God s love in tangible ways. With our wide variety of talents and resources, and our sincere desire to help others, we continue to make a difference in the lives of people everywhere through PW s Together in Service program. Through this program, Presbyterian women share ideas for a whole range of projects whether sewing for newborns in Africa, selling fair-trade coffee at church events, or putting together health and hygiene kits for flood victims, we find ways to offer our gifts. Presbyterian women of any age can help assemble emergency kits with personal care items to give to people affected by natural disasters Birthday Offering Goal $500,000. Blue Corn Mothers Alliance Blue Corn Mothers Alliance provides a range of services for Albuquerque s Native American women who experience domestic violence. This multifaceted program offers advocacy: crisis intervention; health, counseling and education services; and referrals for legal and shelter services to Native American women and children who have suffered domestic violence. This program is the only one in the Albuquerque area that offers domestic violence counseling with a focus on Native American cultural sensitivity. Research shows that Native American women are more likely to experience domestic and sexual violence than non-native women. More than one in three Native women will be raped in her life, and 39 per sent of Native women experience domestic violence in some form. Through a Birthday Offering gift, this once a-week program, currently run by volunteers out of La Mesa Presbyterian Church, will be available five days a week with staff. The money received will be leveraged and allow them to compete for funding locally from the Cit of Albuquerque and nationally, from the Department of Justice and the Administration for Children and Families. Blue Corn Alliance hopes that these additional sources of funding can be secured to help open a shelter. Do not forsake me, O Lord. O my God, do not be far from me; make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation. For details see Horizons Jan/Feb 2014 or by visiting

7 P AGE 7 SPRING GATHERING SATURDAY APRIL 12, 2014 United Presbyterian Church Mason City, IL Corner of N. Main and High St The Reconciliation of Humankind Through Jesus Christ Deuteronomy 15:7-11 Matthew 5:3-10 Matthew 26:6-13 9:00 Gathering for coffee and refreshments 9:30 Opening with worship See page one for more information WORKSHPS: WATER FOR LIFE/WATER FOR ALL Sharon Graham LUCK OF THE DRAW and WHO S GOT THE CHEESE Linda Miller According to the late Marshall McLuhan, Canadian philosopher of communication theory, There are no passengers on Spaceship Earth. Everybody s crew. Linda Miller and Sharon Graham will be using activities from a Church World Service publication that focus on the Millennium Development Goals so that attendees at the PW PGR Spring Gathering will have the opportunity to attend two workshops that afternoon to learn how a global chorus of voices is calling to make poverty history. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) supports Church World Service, which works in some eighty countries. Two of the eight Millennium Development Goals that will be explored in the workshops are to eradicate extreme hunger and poverty and to ensure environmental sustainability by providing access to safe water. In addition to providing a glimpse into the lives and struggles of impoverished people around the world, measurable goals to alleviate the most pressing needs of the human family on Spaceship Earth will be discussed. Linda Miller serves as the Coordinator for Peacemaking, Justice, and Hunger and Sharon Graham serves as Moderator II for Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery of Great Rivers. Registrar: Barbara Rodgers PO Box 191 Mason City, IL phone Deadline Monday April 7 Cost $8.00 LUNCHEON RESERVATIONS FOR PW SPRING GATHERING If you reserve, you pay even if you cannot attend. Checks made to Presbyterian Women (memo: Spring Gathering) NAME.. CHURCH. ADDITIONAL NAMES CHILD CARE NEEDED.. AGE(S)...

8 Page 8 Horizons 2014 BIBLE STUDY WORKSHOP DATE: TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 2014 PLACE: United Presbyterian Church New Windsor 4th Ave and Walnut I-74 to Route 17 Turn north on 4th Ave. One block to Walnut Phone TIME: 9:00 AM REGISTRATION WORKSHOP 9:30 BIBLE STUDY : Reconciling Paul: A Contemporary Study of 2 Corinthians THE NEXT ISSUE OF HORIZONS MAGAZINE ( MARCH/APRIL 2014) WILL CONTAIN AN OVERVIEW OF THIS STUDY. BE SURE TO LOOK FOR IT. REMEMBER TO MARK YOUR CALENDARS Study books will no longer be ordered through PW/PGR. You must order your own: Call: Presbyterian Distribution Service Online: Mail order: Presbyterian Church (USA) PO Box , Pittsburgh, PA PDS Prepaid Processing Reservations to: Jean Peterson PO Box 96 New Windsor Deadline Friday May 30 Cost $6.00 Reservations are guaranteed. NAME CHURCH. ADDITIONAL NAMES.... Checks may be made to: Presbyterian Women memo: Bible Study Workshop Child care will be provided if name and age added to reservation. Bring a bag lunch

9 AN INVITATION ENTER THE TENT Come home and worship in our sacred space our Tabernacle!! John 1:14 - The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth SYNOD TRIENNIUM GATHERING June 6, 7, 8, 2014 Geneva Center, Rochester, Indiana Cost for the Weekend which includes everything (room, meals, all gathering materials) $155 per person (same price as the 2011 Triennium!!) Mail check made to PW SOLT and below registration to: Marian DeWall, P.O. Box 443, Forreston, IL Rev. Janice Catron is our Gathering Spiritual Advisor. The Gathering Team has a new format for you to enjoy CONVERSATIONS instead of workshops!! Some of the conversations the Team has discussed are: Support, Spiritual Practices, How do I fix it?, Keeping Sabbath. On Friday evening, participants will have an opportunity to choose two conversation subjects other than those founded by the Team. Conversations will be facilitated by ordained female Presbyterian pastors from the Synod of Lincoln Trails. There will be quiet time, time for worship, time to labyrinth, time to visit, time for Sabbath, time to shop!! PLAN NOW TO ATTEND. YOU LL BE BLESSED IN WAYS YOU CANNOT IMAGINE!! " " " " " " " " " " " " " " CUT HERE " " " " " " " " " " Deadline May 31st NAME ADDRESS PRESBYTERY HOME PHONE HOME CHURCH EMERGENCY CONTACT Name of Church Name CELL PHONE Location Relationship Telephone Alternative Telephone SPECIAL NEEDS

10 Donna Jeffers 107 South Pine Street Washington, IL Presbyterian Women Presbytery of Great Rivers Currents Synod of Lincoln Trails Presbyterian Church ( U.S.A. ) March 2014 Vol. LII Issue Calendar Spring Gathering.April 12 Mason City Bible Study Workshop..June 3 New Windsor Synod Gathering.June 6-8 Geneva Center Rochester, IN Fall Gathering... Sept. 13 Peoria United Presbyterian Church