currentthe DECEMBER 2017 VOL. 22, NO. 5 Unplug and Reconnect with Camping and Retreat Ministries PAGES 6-19 Inside this Issue News from the Episcopal Office ........................1 Announcements & Events .................................2 Christian Conversations ....................................3 Camping & Retreat Ministries ...................... 6-19 National/Global News ................................ 21-22 Conference News ...................................... 23-25 On the Cover the A couple of campers enjoy one of the many offerings at East Bay camp. The 2018 Camp current Guide is included in this special double issue. Photos courtesy IGRC Camping and Retreat Ministries DECEMBER 2017 Vol. 22 No. 5 The Current (USPS 014-964) is published monthly Send materials to: by the Illinois Great Rivers Conference of The UMC, P.O. Box 19207, Springfield, IL 62794-9207 5900 South Second Street, Springfield, IL 62711 or tel. 217.529.2040 or fax 217.529.4155 An individual subscription is $15 per year. The [email protected], website www.igrc.org opinions expressed in viewpoints are those of the Periodical postage paid at Peoria, IL, and writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of additional mailing offices. The Current, The IGRC, or The UMC. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Communications Team The Current, Illinois Great Rivers Conference, P.O. Leader: Paul E. Black Box 19207, Springfield, IL 62794-9207 23 Retired pastor, wife in stormy St. Croix Team members: Kim Halusan, Michele Willson Protect your property and, most importantly, your people. Church Mutual can help you protect your most valuable assets. Church Mutual offers specialized programs and coverages designed to help improve the safety of your people. From sexual molestation prevention resources like employee screening tools, to insurance coverage, we help you guard the safety and well-being of all who worship with you. To get a free, no-obligation quote from a local, licensed insurance professional, visit churchmutual.com/people. Follow us © 2017 Church Mutual Insurance Company the current the current News from the Episcopal Office Finding Our Way Forward | Thank you all for the many prayers that you models with the COB, with the awareness that we DECEMBER 2017 have been praying for me as your Bishop, for the are not restricted to these models and are open to Council of Bishops (COB) and the Commission learning, listening and improvement. It is likely on a Way Forward (Commission). The COB, at our that additional models or sketches may emerge as most recent meeting, received the initial report the process continues. In the same way, the COB is from the Commission on a Way Forward. I want not now expressing a preference for any model and 1 to do my best to share with you an update on the has encouraged all of the Bishops to engage their work of the Commission. respective Conferences in ongoing teaching and Bishop Frank Beard The 2016 General Conference deferred all dialogue. votes on issues of human sexuality and asked the I have requested that the IGRC Delegation COB to provide leadership that would help our assist me in leading a series of conversations across denomination to move forward. The COB created our Conference. We are in the process of secur- Appointments a Commission and empowered them to do the ing leadership for facilitating these conversations. work of bringing to the COB suggestions, based More information will be shared soon. The Delega- In consultation with the Cabinet of the Illinois Great Rivers on prayer, study, conversations, education, faith- tion Chairs are helping me plan and implement a Conference, Bishop Frank J. Beard announces the following sharing, personal experiences, and theological series of meetings across the IGRC. changes of status: reflections, that would assist the COB in providing FORWARD CONTINUED ON PAGE 20 George W. Biby, discontinuation of appointment as a part- to a Special Called Session of General Conference a time local pastor, effective Oct. 27, 2017. proposal on how we might move forward in regard Rick A. McDaniel, discontinuation of appointment as a full- to issues of human sexuality. Bishop Beard’s Preaching Schedule time local pastor, effective Dec. 1, 2017. The effective date is Thirty-two persons, lay and clergy, were se- NOVEMBER 2017 lected from across our global church. The Commis- being corrected from what was previously reported. Nov. 19 – Arthur UMC, Iroquois River District, 8 and 10 a.m. worship sion began their work in January 2017. The work of the Commission is to help the COB in their pre- DECEMBER 2017 Deaths sentation/proposal to the next General Conference. Dec. 17 – Fairview Heights Christ UMC, Mississippi River District, 9 and 11 a.m., 6 p.m. worship IGRC retired pastor, the Rev. Dr. Michael Mayfield, 66, died This is important to keep in mind that the work of JANUARY 2018 Nov. 11 in Peoria. the Commission is presented to the COB and then the COB after it’s work of deliberation and discern- Jan. 6 – Springfield First UMC, Sangamon River District, 5:30 p.m. Rev. Mayfield served 31 years in active ment will bring its findings to the General Confer- worship ministry, retiring from Johnston City-Stiritz ence for approval and possible adoption. THERE Jan. 7 – Springfield First UMC, Sangamon River District, in 2016. In retirement, he pastored Energy IS NO FINAL DECISION APART FROM THE 9 and 10:30 a.m. worship UMC at the time of his death. ACTION OF GENERAL CONFERENCE. Jan. 12 – Fairview Heights Christ, Mississippi River District, Condolences can be sent to his wife, Vickie, At our meeting, the COB received the initial Martin Luther King, Jr. Service, 7 p.m. 11489 Castle Oak Rd, Pittsburg 62974- report from the Commission. This is a first step in Jan. 21 – Hudson UMC, Vermilion River District, 9 a.m. worship 1883. the process and is not the end of the journey. There Feb. 4 – Forsyth UMC, Sangamon River District, 9:30 a.m. worship Rev. Mayfield is the father of IGRC pastor, Rev. Sarah Wanck, will be many more steps as well as an opportunity Feb. 11 – Havana First UMC, LaMoine River District, 10:30 a.m. associate pastor of Washington Crossroads UMC, and the for input from you prior to the 2019 General Con- worship father-in-law of Rev. Gabe Wanck, associate pastor of Morton ference Session. Feb. 25 – Maroa UMC, Sangamon River District, 10:10 a.m. worship UMC. Condolences may be sent to the Wancks at: 1347 Austin The Commission shared three sketches of Ave, Washington 61571-9313. Rev. Mayfield is also the brother of IGRC pastor, the Rev. Lyren Haney, chaplain at Wesley Village in Macomb. Condolences may be sent to her at: 5219 N 1750th Rd, Blandinsville, IL 61420-9420. Conversations around human sexuality A complete obituary may be found at: http://www. The IGRC delegates have been called together by Bishop and ministry as we discuss issues of human sexuality. wilsonmcreynolds.com/obituaries/Michael- Beard and are starting the process of preparation for the The design and leadership of these sessions will be led by Mayfield-5/#!/Obituary Called Session of the 2019 General Conference. The special the IGRC Delegates alongside folks from a diverse spectrum. called session will focus on the Council of Bishop’s report We invite people from across our Annual Conference to Retired pastor Rev. Marion Ford, 96, based on the work of the Commission on the Way Forward. attend and participate. Information regarding the current died Oct. 22 in Mt. Vernon. The 2016 General Conference delayed actions on all proposed models from the Commission, will be shared and Rev. Ford served in the conference for 45 legislation related to human sexuality. The Special Called discussed. Information gleaned will be shared with the COB years, retiring in 2009 from Stiritz UMC Session will take legislative action to determine the church’s and with the Commission. Bishop Beard is planning on being as an Associate Member of the Annual position on issues of human sexuality. present at each of these sessions. Conference. Marion's wife, Peggy, A series of conversations will be held throughout the Please pray for our Conference as we seek to engage in preceded him in death in 2009. IGRC. These conversations will center around a series of these vital conversations. Detailed information will be shared questions provided by the Council of Bishops. These ques- as it becomes available. Condolences may be sent to his daughter, Nana Koenegstein tions are designed to assist us in talking about our mission at 420 W Washington, Dix, IL 62830. A full obituary may be found at: http://thesouthern.com/news/local/obituaries/ rev-marion-ford/article_be7861a4-0a0d-5438-8d64- b8cfc4962482.html Registration open for Bishop’s Wesleyan Heritage trip Rev Robert D Ervin, 87, retired pastor SPRINGFIELD – Join Bishop Frank Beard and the 2017 breakfast buffet, dinner, deluxe motor-coach transportation, currently serving Middletown UMC, died and 2018 Ordination classes from the IGRC for a trip to the guided tours and sightseeing. Oct. 24 in Sherman. birthplace of Methodism. You don't want to miss this golden Travel with members from your church, small group, clergy Rev. Ervin served churches in the former opportunity to experience and enjoy England. covenant group, or come on your own. You will not regret this Central Illinois Conference and the Illinois Get a chance to learn and laugh with the Bishop as we explore experience. The basic tour cost is $3,598. Great Rivers Conference, retiring in 2000. our historical roots and retrace the life and legacy of the Wesley Churches may want to consider blessing their pastor with this Condolences may be sent to his wife, Phyllis Ervin, 2321 family and other significant contributors to the development special opportunity to walk where Wesley walked.