Presbytery Neighborhoods
The Concept of Neighborhoods
Calendar of Neighborhood Activities
Benefits and Responsibilities
- Benefit: The joy of getting to know fellow Presbyterians from area churches.
We have much more in common than we think, and there is great joy in Christian fellowship. In an age of increasing loneliness and the feeling of isolation, it is more important than ever to find safe spaces for connection and sharing our hopes and concerns. Neighborhood groups are born from the recognition of the vital need for friendship among ministry colleagues. - Benefit: Discovering
new resources for ministry.
Many churches are working in isolation to fill their pulpit in the absence of a full-time minister, as well as finding accompanists for worship and other volunteers. Moreover, churches are involved in wonderful ministries of which their neighboring churches may not be aware. Neighborhood groups give churches a chance to discover and share resources (such as the “Midwest Call Finder”) and new ideas for mission. It is our hope that these neighborhood groups will facilitate better communication and accountability between the PSEI and among local churches. - Benefit/Responsibility:
Cooperation in church officers training and possibly sharing pastoral leadership among churches.
Every year, it is required that churches conduct background checks and provide training for deacons, elders, clerks of session, and moderators. There are also annual responsibilities, such as Session record reviews and statistical reports. Neighborhood groups can work together on these tasks, rather than having to do it all on their own. Also, 3-5 churches in neighborhood groups may choose to share a Connectional Servant Pastor (if available), who can provide experienced worship leadership & pastoral care to churches without ministers of Word and Sacrament. - Responsibility: Gathering
regularly for prayer and fellowship.
On the most basic level, the responsibility of a neighborhood group is to create Christian community and friendships among believers. When we gather, we pray together and share our lives and what’s going on in our churches. We believe that Jesus is especially present where people intentionally gather in his Name. It would be most helpful to have a “point person” who will reach out and keep the churches in a neighborhood aware of the meeting places and times. - Responsibility: Helping
the Presbytery find people called to serve the larger church.
The neighborhood groups will be responsible for helping the PSEI find those elders and ministers who are gifted and called to serve on various committees/teams of the PSEI. The Committee on Representation will keep the groups informed of the PSEI’s needs, and will take nominations from the neighborhoods to the PSEI.
Printable Chart of Neighborhoods
Churches and Neighborhoods
Click a header to sort by that column.
| Congregation | Neighborhood |
|---|---|
| Albion, First United | Bridge |
| Arcola | Embarras |
| Argenta, The Bridge | Greater Decatur |
| Ashmore, United | East Central |
| Assumption, Memorial | Sangamon |
| Bement, First | Greater Decatur |
| Bridgeport, First United | Bridge |
| Butler, Union | Open Door |
| Carbondale, First | Riverside |
| Carmi, First | Wabash |
| Carterville, First | Orchards |
| Centralia, First United | First Capital |
| Champaign, Copper Creek | Illini |
| Champaign, First | Illini |
| Champaign, McKinley | Illini |
| Champaign, Westminster | Illini |
| Charleston, First | East Central |
| Chester, First | Riverside |
| Cobden, First | Riverside |
| Danville, First | Salt Fork |
| Decatur, Bethlehem | Greater Decatur |
| Decatur, First | Greater Decatur |
| Decatur, Westminster | Greater Decatur |
| Donnellson | Open Door |
| Effingham, First | Kaskaskia |
| Equality | Orchards |
| Gibson City, First | Salt Fork |
| Golconda, First | Orchards |
| Grand Tower, First United | Riverside |
| Greenup, First | Kaskaskia |
| Greenville, First | First Capital |
| Harrisburg, First | Wabash |
| Hillsboro, Waveland | Open Door |
| Hoopeston, First | Salt Fork |
| Kansas, United | East Central |
| Lawrenceville, First | Bridge |
| Litchfield, First | Sangamon |
| Marion, First | Orchards |
| Mattoon, First | Embarras |
| Mattoon, Loxa | Embarras |
| McLeansboro, First | Wabash |
| Monticello, First | Salt Fork |
| Mount Vernon, First | South Central |
| Mount Zion | Greater Decatur |
| Murphysboro, First | South Central |
| Nashville, First | South Central |
| Neoga, United | Embarass |
| New Haven, United | Wabash |
| Newton, First | Kaskaskia |
| Norris City, Union Ridge | Wabash |
| Olney, First | Bridge |
| Palestine, First | Kaskaskia |
| Pana, United in Faith | Sangamon |
| Paris, New Providence | East Central |
| Paris, The | East Central |
| Philo | Salt Fork |
| Pinckneyville, First United | South Central |
| Raymond, A Community of Faith | Sangamon |
| Rockwood, Ebenezer | Riverside |
| Rockwood, First | Riverside |
| Rosamond, Community | Sangamon |
| Salem | First Capital |
| Salem, New Bethel | First Capital |
| Shawneetown, First | Orchards |
| Shelbyville, First | Embarras |
| Sorento | Open Door |
| Sorento, Reno-Bethel | Open Door |
| Sparta, Westminster | South Central |
| Sumner, Gilead | Bridge |
| Taylorville, First | Sangamon |
| Tilden | South Central |
| Tolono, First | Salt Fork |
| Urbana, First | Illini |
| Urbana, Korean | Illini |
| Vandalia, First | First Capital |
