The

News of Illinois Greaturrent Rivers Conference of The United Methodist Church Volume 12, NumberC 11 www.igrc.org July 2008 Cleanup, recovery efforts begin to take shape as river crests Attention turns southward as Quad Cities and Quincy begin second phase of disaster response By Paul Black

Volunteers and residents along the Mississippi River begin a second stage of response as water levels begin to drop with cresting reported in the Quad Cities and Quincy. As of press time June 23, several areas are breathing a little easier as breaks in several levees have dropped water levels while others are dealing with the flooding left in the aftermath of the break. United Methodists have been involved in the response with tasks ranging from evacuation assistance, sandbagging, preparing meals and the beginning of long-term recovery. Methodists respond Bishop Sharon A. Brown Christopher Ways to respond issued a pastoral letter June 20, noted both The Midwest Mission crisis and opportunity. Distribution Center is in need of flood “I hear the anxiety and anguish of those buckets and flood bucket supplies. A Photo by Bunny Wolfe list of supplies can be found on the See Cleanup on page 20 . . . Judy Doyle, conference disaster coordinator joins in the sandbagging effort in Quincy. conference web site at: http://www.igrc.org/Ministries/Mis Annual conference focuses on Living the United Methodist Way sions/Disaster-Relief/Flood- Buckets.aspx By Paul Black Take up a special offering for the Conference Disaster Fund #6800. The 2008 Illinois Great Rivers Because the flooding is widespread, Conference held its 12th annual session do not designate funds for a particular June 4-7 at the Peoria Civic Center in area. This will allow the Disaster Peoria. This year’s session focused on Relief Team to move quickly to Living the United Methodist Way, spot- address needs as they develop. lighting Wesley’s general rules “Doing No Volunteer for sandbagging efforts or Harm. Doing Good. Staying in Love with providing meals for volunteers. God.” Updated information is posted at the A video segment began each day with IGRC website as it becomes avail- one of the three areas. In the first segment, able. IGRC retired pastor Miley Palmer described how his family coped with the tragedy at Northern Illinois University in dealing with his granddaughter Ryanne

Mace’s death. The second segment fea- Photos by Bob Baker tured the story of Mississippi teen Members of the annual conference lift up their signed covenant cards during opening Elizabeth Cumbest who has raised $45,000 worship Wednesday to “Do No Harm, Do Good, and Stay in Love with God.” for Gulf Coast hurricane relief with her Episcopal Address she gave at General service – 12 in Illinois and eight in music; and the third segment provided a Conference in April. The address, which Minnesota. cross-section of insights in how persons gained wide acclaim across the connection, Bishop Bruce Ough, episcopal leader stay in love with God. was received warmly by the 2,000 mem- from the West Ohio Conference, was the The conference was also the final con- bers of the annual conference as she told special conference speaker as he presented ference for Bishop Sharon A. Brown the stories of transformation wrapped into the Council of Bishops’ Seven Vision Christopher, who announced her retire- the liturgy of communion. A farewell cele- Pathways and resourced the conference ment last fall. Christopher has been the bration was held that recounted Bishop around transformational leadership in the only bishop of the Illinois Great Rivers Christopher’s call into the ministry at a local church. Conference, which united just two weeks time where women had just been given the Conference members also gave their prior to her arrival in 1996. On the opening rights of ordination. Several speakers also enthusiastic support for the candidacy of night, Christopher gave a reprise of the paid tribute for Christopher’s 20 years of See Annual Conference on page 11 . . . Page 2 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current July 2008 Announcements and Events Quest UMC to host NBN churches throughout the conference. Bismarck, Iroquois River District, effec- run/walk Training opportunities for Module 1 – tive July 1. “The Call” are listed below. Registration Jane Bradford to Saumenin and Trinity Quest UMC will be hosting a 5K at all locations will be open from 9 to 9:25 UM Parish, Associate, Vermilion River run/walk in Champaign-Urbana a.m. Training begins at 9:30 a.m. and is District, effective July 1. on Saturday, Aug. 30, with all proceeds completed by 4 p.m. David L. Phillips to Saunemin and going to Nothing But Nets. Aug. 9 – Galesburg First UMC and Trinity UM Parish, Vermilion River For more information, visit the website: Peoria First District, effective July 1. www.questfornets.com. The website Aug. 23 – Effingham Centenary and Supply not appointed includes information about the run/walk as Bourbonnais Grace James Whitaker to Shelby Bayler, Morris wed well as how to register to participate. Oct. 4 – East Moline Christ and Cooperative, Embarras River District, Bloomington Morningstar beginning July 1. Rev. Lavon Bayler and Denise Morris The Well to be offered at Oct. 25 – Marion Aldersgate, Godfrey, Michael Eugene Shearer to Cache were united in marriage at the Beecher six sites and Champaign Faith Chapel, Cache River District, beginning City UMC on May 24 at 4 p.m. with Rev. Module 2 – “The Quad” will be held in July 1. Sam Totten officiating. A reception dinner The Well, for youth workers, will be January and February 2009. Change of status was held following, at the Beecher City hosted around the conference this fall in Register online at http://youth.igrcamp Charles D. Stephens, Sr. transfer from Kluthe Center. They wish to thank every- various locations. .org (registration fees apply) or register IGRC to Southwest Texas Conference one for their cards, gifts and prayers. In Identical sessions will be held at the by mail or fax by downloading informa- effective July 1. His Love, Lavon and Denise Bayler. following locations: tion from youth.igrcamp.org and submit- Allynn Walker to Alton: Main Street, Monday, Oct. 6 – Mt. Vernon (PM) ting forms and payment to Peggy O’Neal, Mississippi River, effective July 1.. Tuesday, Oct. 7 – Belleville (AM) P.O. Box 19207, Springfield, IL 62794. Allyn’s status will change from Deacon to Tuesday, Oct. 7 – Clinton (PM) FTLP. Wednesday, Oct. 8 – Bloomington Appointments Becky Brault to Logan County Parish, (AM) Sangamon River District, effective July 1. Thursday, Oct. 9 – Peoria (AM) Angel Taylor to Morton, Associate, She is coming off Leave of Absence. Thursday, Oct. 9 – Jacksonville (PM) Illinois River District, effective July 1. Jerry Crawford discontinued as a local The presenter will be Dr. Hal Hamilton, Casey Taylor, Lacon-Sparland and pastor effective June 30. Director of Youth and Young Adult Chillicothe, Associate, Illinois River Brent Gordon discontinued as a local Ministries at First UMC in Tulsa, Okla. District, effective July 1. pastor effective June 30. The Well is designed to be a “close to Jay Regennitter to Normal: home” time for equipping and training Morningstar, Vermilion River District, Deaths Two Cent Offering to lead local church youth ministry leaders (vol- effective Sept. 1. Junior High YAR unteer or paid). Dianne Duncan to Walnut Grove, Retired pastor Richard “Dick” Contact Tim Price at 618-667-6241 ext Spoon River District, effective July 1. Huckins died recently in Ohio. He was a Two Cent Offering, the band that cur- 414 or by emailing: tim@harvestmin Janet Miller to Catlin, Iroquois River pastor in the former Central Illinois rently serves as worship leaders during the istryteams.com for a brochure. District, effective July 1. Conference for over 30 years, retiring in contemporary worship service at Peoria Dan D. Seibert to Forsyth, Sangamon 1993. Expressions of sympathy may be First UMC, will lead worship throughout River District, effective July 1. sent to his wife, Ruth Huckins, 802 Loretta the weekend at Junior High YAR which Youth Ministry Essentials unveiled Alan M. Simonson, Sr. to LaMoine Place, Lima, OH 45805. will be held Oct. 17-19 at Lake River Parish, Spoon River District, effec- Irene Joyner, wife of Rev. Jack Joyner, Williamson Retreat Center in Carlinville. Youth Ministry tive July 1. pastor of the Bissell UMC, died June 8. The group was initially formed in 2002 Essentials, a four- James O. Tinzmann to Litchfield: St. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to by Chris Zobac and Patrick Jenkins. Two module of train- Timothy, Mississippi River District, effec- Rev. Jack Joyner at his home, 2105 Cent Offering takes its name from Luke ing for youth tive July 1. Greenside Dr., Springfield 62704. 21:1-4. With poignant lyrics, supported by leaders, will be Robert Lee Shook to Benton: First, Mary Marzahn, wife of the late Wilbert scripture, matched with a progressive rolled out this fall. Cache River District, effective July 1. Marzahn, died recently. Services will be acoustic sound, Two Cent Offering deliv- The multi-module Jeff Stahl to Bethany and Sanner held Saturday, June 21 at First Centenary ers a powerful message of truth, grace, and training is spon- Chapel, Sangamon River District, effective UMC in Chattanooga, TN. Expressions of hope. For more information on the band, sored by the July 1. sympathy, at the request of the family, may visit: http://www.twocentoffering.com Illinois Great Rivers Conference Youth Janice M. Devor to Greater West be made through the following website: Ministry and the Youth Worker Frankfort Parish, Cache River District, http://mem.com/Story. Harvest worship conference Movement, and consists of one-day train- effective July 1. aspx?ID=2491540 ing opportunities for youth workers, paid Steve Livengood to Tower Hill, Ramsey The Harvest Worship Conference will youth staff, volunteer youth leaders, jun- and Herrick, Embarras River District, be held Saturday, Sept. 20, from 8:30 a.m. Positions ior high and senior high Sunday School effective July 1. to 3:30 p.m. at Troy UMC. teachers, and others who work with Betty Coffey to Buckeye and Owaneco, Music Director and/or Organist Lance Winkler, Director of youth. Sangamon River District, effective July 1. needed at Grace UMC, Decatur, IL. We Contemporary Worship at Church of the Cost for each module is $47 which Rebecca Laumeier to Rossville and See Announcements on page 3 . . . Resurrection will be the featured speaker includes lunch, all training supplies and as well as many other elective seminars handouts and a book. Training will be presented by local church worship leaders The Current (USPS 014-964) is published monthly by the Illinois Great Rivers Conference provided by qualified, experienced youth around the conference. of the United Methodist Church, 5900 South Second Street, Springfield, IL 62711. An indi- ministers and clergy. vidual subscription is $10 per year. This event is designed for local church Each of the four modules offered is a The opinions expressed in viewpoints are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect worship leaders, praise band members, stand-alone piece focusing on various the views of The Current, the Illinois Great Rivers Conference, or The United Methodist children’s worship leaders and worship facets of youth ministry. Each module Church. planners. helps create a foundation for and a basic Communications Team leader: Paul E. Black; team members: Catherine Flynn and Michele For more information, please contact Willson. Send materials to P.O. Box 19207, Springfield, IL 62794-9207, tel. 217-529-2040, understanding of “success” in youth min- Tim Price at 618-667-6241 ext 414 or by fax 217-529-4155, e-mail [email protected], web page: www.igrc.org. Periodical’s istry. The goal of the Youth Ministry emailing: [email protected] postage paid at Peoria, IL, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Please send Essentials is to provide every person who to request a brochure. address changes to “The Current,” Illinois Great Rivers Conference, P.O. Box 19207, ministers to young people a basic level of Springfield, IL 62794-9207. training that will benefit youth and July 2008 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current Page 3 Local Church News Eldorado play started with discussion on Christian discipleship By Beth Fender on their assigned day. Coordinator of New Streams “We all pray differently,” Phyllis explains. Some pray for an hour-long The third to eighth grade youth of block, while others pray at various times Eldorado UMC presented the play Cricket throughout the day. Volunteers pray at the County Cousins June 1. What is unusual church, at their homes, or even in a local about this production is that it started with park. Some incorporate scripture in their a discussion about discipleship. prayer time. The Sunday evening women’s Bible Some of the volunteers started praying study group, led by Rev. Julie Allison, for the youth of their church – specifical- began this discussion last fall. Rev. ly, for God to send them at least ten youth. Allison led the group in a study of several The church had three junior high youth in chapters of the New Streams workbook, the confirmation class, and one of the con- Charting the Course of Christian firmation mentors agreed to teach a Discipleship. The ladies discussed the Sunday school class for these students. mission of the church, and reflected on After some discussion with their pastor, a what it means to live as disciples of Jesus decision was made to offer a prize for the Christ. youth who invited the most friends. A new adult Sunday school class was Before long, the church had consider-

Photo by Howard Bell formed out of the discussion. The Bible ably more than 10 youth attending. “And Afghanistan school children sit at their desks and receive instruction from their teacher. study group also started to consider the they’re still coming!” the ladies report. All types of basic school supplies are needed for both students and teachers. idea of a metaphor for disciple formation The congregation hired a member to serve based on Jacob’s Ladder – each rung as a part-time youth director, and soon School supplies needed in Afghanistan being a step closer to God. they decided to present a spring play – IGRC clergy member Howard Bell, As the study went on, God spoke in a which brings us back to where this story pastor of Oblong Evangelical UMC, is dramatic way to one member of the group. started. currently stationed in Afghanistan. He “The Lord woke me up in the middle of And the ladies? They are now involved reports a desperate need for school sup- the night,” says Phyllis. She and a friend in Companions in Christ, but they say plies for Afghan children. had previously discussed starting a prayer they may come back to the New Streams All types of basic school supplies are ministry that would go beyond the exist- materials in the future. They report that needed, including: backpacks or book ing telephone prayer chain, and God their experience with New Streams helped bags; pencils (wooden with erasers); ink seemed to be telling her that the time was them to grow – a little bit. Reflecting the pens (any size or color); composition right to move ahead. She visited each Jacob’s Ladder metaphor, one member books (bound); coloring books; crayons Sunday school class to enlist volunteers, exclaimed, “Maybe we’re on the first (small boxes); rulers and protractors; each of whom agreed to pray for one hour rung!” erasers; pencil sharpeners; scissors (small); glue sticks; and highlighters. Middlefork confirmands in mission Teachers’ kits are also needed with The Middlefork UMC in Potomac cele- and served a meal to our church family. such items as flash cards, visual aids and brated the completion of its confirmation The meal consisted of spaghetti, lasagna, instruction manuals for math, science, class May 11. garlic bread, relish tray, drink and cake. Howard Bell English, and the alphabet; index cards (3 In all, 10 youth were in the class. As part There was a freewill offering. The youth x 5 and 5 x 7); ball point pens (any color) Hospital, APO AE 09354. The U.S. of the curriculum the youth were required had decided that they would buy the items and pencils; tape (masking and Scotch- Postal Service has a special Priority Mail to complete a mission project for the for health kits with their profit from the type); scissors (large); paper clips; col- Box that gets a $2 discount to an APO church family, but also a project outside of dinner they served. ored push pins; world maps; art stencils; address. It is $10.95 rather than $12.95. the church. The fruit of their efforts were awesome. stickers (as rewards for good work); post- Because Afghanistan is a Muslim The project for the church was to clean The youth sent $50 to Heifer International it note pads (any size or color notebooks country, Bell cannot accept anything to up the church yard from the fall and win- to purchase a share in a heifer. They were and folders; indelible markers (all colors give away to children with a religious ter. The youth gathered 18 large sacks of also able to assemble 50 health kits for the and styles); chalk and blackboard erasers; theme. Shipments should not have items leaves and garbage from the church prop- Midwest Distribution Center. A dedica- whiteboard, colored markers and erasers; with a religious theme; nothing with pigs erty. tion for the health kits was held April 27 staplers with refills; bottled glue for art (as pork is unclean); and nothing with the On Sunday, April 13, the youth prepared during worship. projects; poster paper (any color); and American flag. The American flag issue large boxes of crayons. is that people possessing such items are The items can be shipped to Bell at: sometimes targeted by the Taliban. Howard S. Bell, Task Force Medical skills preferred. 20 to 40 hours per week, tatas, Lenten services, special Christmas Items for sale Announcements depending on qualifications. Salary based events, and possibly community ecu- Continued from page 2 on education and experience. Resume and menical services. Choir practices on OMI-CHORD by Suzuki, Model OM- are a large established church with a long references to: Pam Wentworth, Grace Wednesday evening. The term of contract 84, System two, has advanced micro tech- history of high quality music ministry. UMC, 901 N. Main St., Decatur, IL runs from last week in August until May nology to program all back ground chords, Duties include but not limited to: direct 62521, fax 217-429-8272, email pwent- 31. A long term contract is welcome. rhythms, bass and drums. Unit has sonic adult choir and bell choir, select choir worth@decatur grace.org. Experience in accompanying vocal choirs strings strum plate working like a guitar, music, assist ministerial staff with wor- Choir accompanist, UMC of is preferred. Please call Perry H. there are no visible strings; it is played by ship service, music selection, worship Murphysboro, Murphysboro, Ill. Our Patterson at 618-549-6851 if you are button chords and strumming a strum service song leader, assist organize and church is seeking a pianist to accompany interested or e-mail at perry0441 plate. Instructions and case included with perform special music, assist and support the adult choir for Sunday services 9 a.m. @aol.com. instrument. Please call Rev Judy Medlen at all music programs. Organ performance to 10:10 a.m. This position includes can- 217-763-6299. Page 4 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current July 2008 Local Church News Harvest Ministries begins 13th summer Photo by The Harvest Ministries team for 2008 includes: Jeff Nail, Litchfield; Amy Hawk, Carlinville; Tom Noble, Champaign; Joshua Eastin, Salem; Kim Przybylski,

Lawrenceville; and Ryan Roach from Benld. Photo by Janet Miller Harvest Ministry Teams has begun its Noble, Champaign; Joshua Eastin, Salem; Bulach UMC, near Zurich, is part of the Switzerland/France Annual Conference. 13th summer of ministry. Kim Przybylski, Lawrenceville; and Ryan Each year, Harvest Ministry, which was Roach from Benld. The team will be led Pastor visits Swiss United Methodists established in 1996 with a mission to by Tim Price, Director of Harvest. In addi- “equip young adults for ministry while tion to this team, we will also have three By Janet Miller One pastor told me that the early providing a resource to the local church”, short-term teams heading out into ministry Pastor, Piper City-Onarga UMCs Methodists often met in secret, and invites young adults from around the state this summer for one-week events. Methodists were not allowed to build to apply for the team. After a week of For the summer of 2008, Harvest will Have you ever wondered what United churches at first. Many of the churches I training, the group is sent to serve as wor- travel in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Methodism looked like in other countries, visited were in buildings converted from ship leaders for camps, churches and min- Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama. In the how they do worship or if we really are previous places of business, such as istry events all over Illinois and the IGRC, Harvest will serve in several connected as United Methodists? restaurants and one church was even in a Midwest. Team members serve as short- churches, Epworth and Beulah Camps, Recently I had the opportunity to experi- car dealership. term missionaries for two months during and VBS’s. If you would like to find out ence the answers to these questions as I The churches looked very modern. the summer and there have been over 160 more about Harvest Ministry Teams, visited with United Methodist pastors and The eight churches I visited all had slate young adults who have served on the please visit the web site their congregations in Switzerland. or tile floors and used chairs instead of teams since the ministry began. www.harvestministryteams.com Harvest In October 2007, our son, Nate and his pews. The team for 2008 includes: Jeff Nail, Ministry Teams is a Conference Advance family were transferred to Switzerland by They all had “beemers” or projectors Litchfield; Amy Hawk, Carlinville; Tom Special (#6340). his employer, Dow Agr-Science. They set- so hymnals were not used. Some of the tled in a town to the south of Zurich. My churches did not even have hymnals, and Those with HIV/AIDS point to Peoria’s District Superintendent, Rev. Larry worship bulletins were also nonexistent. Gilbert suggested that I do a study in All of the churches used supplemental stigma of stereotypes, denial Switzerland since I would have a place to musicians as well as the organist. There Say continuing ‘fallacy’ helps spread of ‘epidemic’ stay while in the country. I was excited by were no stained glass windows, frosted this possibility and immediately began to perhaps, but no color; the altars and pul- By Clare Howard a week said stereotypes blind people from consider, and to plan how a trip like this pits were also very plain. Peoria Journal Star seeing the truth. A former construction might be feasible The people and pastors of these worker who has lived with AIDS more I decided to ask my churches, Piper Methodist churches were very warm and PEORIA — A gay Peoria attorney with than 20 years said he’s getting weary of City and Onarga, to grant me a study leave friendly, however. They are aware of the full-blown AIDS who still works 60 hours the prejudice and rejection. of three weeks. The purpose of the trip needs of their communities and try to meet A Peoria woman whose former husband would be to visit pastors and their congre- these needs. was a U.S. Marine when he gave her the gations in order to understand how United Many of the churches provide a noon disease in 1989 said the military gave him Methodism operates in Switzerland. Two meal that is open to members and the pub- a discharge with benefits. She got a of the weeks were considered vacation lic for a small charge. I shared this meal divorce. time and one week as a study leave. in a number of churches and I was sur- Narratives abound not only confirming I began by contacting the Annual prised by the intergenerational group that that HIV/AIDS no longer fits the confines Conference of Switzerland/France, asking attended. There were school children on of the young gay male population, but for a list of UMC pastors in Switzerland lunch break as well as business people and also raising doubts that it ever did. Today, that spoke English. Their reply was senior citizens. It was a weekly fellowship the virus clearly crosses all demographic prompt and encouraging, resulting in a list that everyone enjoyed. Day care type boundaries, and some people are contend- of seven pastors to visit. groups were also supported by some ing the spread was accelerated by denial I learned that Methodism had only churches. One had just finished a vacation and stereotyping. been in Switzerland since 1840. The web Bible school for children of the communi- ‘The stigma of HIV/AIDS still exists homepage of the UMC in Switzerland ty. and still keeps people from getting tested, states that “the early Methodist people and Martin Weick pastors a church in getting free condoms, talking about the pastors first met resistance and oppression Bulach, a town near Zurich. After visiting disease,’ said Christina Henry, a grand- in this country where the Reformed with him on the phone, he decided that I mother from Peoria Heights who con- Protestant Church was the state supported should do an evening program for his con-

Photo by David Zalaznik, Peoria Journal Star tracted the disease from a monogamous church. Methodists were seen as stealing gregation which he would also open to the Daniel Wessling joins hands in a prayer heterosexual relationship. “People will members and violence against preachers community of Bulach. group at Peoria First UMC. See Peoria on page 5 . . . and lay missionaries was not uncommon.” See Switzerland on page 5 . . . July 2008 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current Page 5 Local Church News

ease can be controlled with drugs. Peoria ”I can’t feel my feet. I have neuropathy Continued from page 4 from the drugs. I have no short-term mem- talk about the spread of the disease in ory,” he said. “I did all the drug trials, tak- Africa, China and India but not here. ing medications not even on the market People just don’t want to acknowledge it’s yet. I’m glad I did because I’m alive, but I here.” can’t work anymore. I’m sick of being The Peoria attorney said many people sick. I feel OK, but I’m always exhausted.” recognized early on that with a lack of Wessling said he was raised Catholic but communication, HIV/AIDS would inevit- felt no support from the church. ably spread because categorizing and “I went to my hometown priest, and he stereotyping worked against recognizing said it was just a disease of homosexuals. truths about sexuality and the disease. But that year, there were 375 diagnoses in ”It’s a fallacy people still want to believe the heterosexual community in Iowa,” he in. Kids are exposed to some of these false said. “I remember those numbers, and it assumptions, and they think heterosexual made me angry at the time. I don’t go to sex is safe,” he said. “The wife says her that church anymore.” ‘hubby’ is down at the bookstore, but he’s He sees that same kind of denial contin- getting more than books.” uing today and creating a climate where The progression of HIV/AIDS into the the disease spreads in groups not perceived heterosexual community might have been at risk. slowed had the realities of sexual behavior Wessling began attending First United been acknowledged, he said. The new Methodist Church in Peoria. He goes to the frontier for the spread of HIV/AIDS may church’s Neutral Ground community be young people who still see the virus pantry that supplies cleaning and personal defined by stereotypes. items to people with HIV/AIDS. State Sen. David Koehler, D-Peoria, The Rev. Steve Pichaske, pastor of out- Photo courtesy of Dena Hopkins said, ‘This is an epidemic, and we need a reach ministries at the church, said, “We Members of the high school youth group at Metropolis First UMC raised nearly $900 community wide effort to combat it.” think of HIV/AIDS somewhere else for cancer research at the Massac County Relay for Life and volunteered an entire Groups like Central Illinois Friends of around the world, but it’s right here in our Saturday assembling Luminaries for the Walk of Hope Celebration at the event. “The People with AIDS and the Heart of Illinois community. There is a lot of hurt with this youth strive to serve Him through several activities throughout the year, but this serv- HIV/AIDS Center do a good job, Koehler disease beyond the physical.” ice project was unlike any other as we were responsible for most every luminary at the said, but work needs to extend into the The church views comprehensive sex event. The youth took charge were touched as they assembled bags that had the names greater community. education as part of the solution. “Our sen- of their own loved ones on them. I am so proud of these youth and their commitment to ”We don’t see efforts beyond specific ior pastor offered to provide a faith-based serving their churches and their communities,” stated Dena Hopkins, Director of groups. We don’t see work in the main- comprehensive education program to the Children and Youth at FUMC. In addition, the youth sweated through the assembly and stream medical community,” he said. ‘This schools. He received no answer,” Pichaske placement of nearly 1,200 luminaries which were lit in memory of a loved one or in epidemic is not going away. It’s getting said. honor of a cancer survivor during the Walk of Hope ceremony during the Relay for Life worse.” The disease has spread and continues to event. Daniel Wessling, 57, was diagnosed with spread because it is viewed in terms of the virus 27 years ago. He was stabbed in stereotypes, said Holly Mehawich, HIV Church will close, memories will remain the back, received a blood transfusion and program coordinator with the Peoria learned later it was tainted blood. City/County Health Department. “That’s Springfield First UMC holds last service downtown June 22 “I’m a long-term survivor,” said exactly why it’s an epidemic. We can’t deal By Nicole Milstead been taking turns to perform three Wessling, who grew up in Iowa and now with it adequately through stereotypes,” Springfield State Journal-Register Sunday services at the new location and lives in Peoria. “In those early days, a diag- she said. one at the old each week. nosis was a death sentence.” Now he’s able Reprinted with permission from the Medfred and Pat Schnirring were mar- “Not many people go to the old loca- to function on a regimen of drugs, but he Peoria Journal Star. ried 60 years ago in First United tion,” said Medfred Schnirring. gets upset about people who think the dis- Methodist Church at 501 E. Capitol Ave. However, the Schnirrings said they On the last Sunday in Switzerland, I The church that stands there now is not appreciate the fact that the church is Switzerland preached at a small rural church set the same building where they exchanged moving the old organ that was played at Continued from page 4 against a large hill in a village near Bern, their vows, but they have attended servic- their wedding to the Koke Mill location. He wanted me to speak about my it was very beautiful and picturesque. The es at that location for more than 30 years, Gary and Lynn Woerner also were nos- churches and their situations. He even pastor, Werner Eschler, translated my and they said Friday they will be sad to talgic for the Fifth Street building, but made posters for the event. message. see it close its doors. said they’re prepared for the consolida- It wasn’t a large group but they were My heart was touched though, when “It is sad to see an era end, but we have tion of services on the west side. very interested in our churches here in the we sang three familiar praise songs in a new church and it is too hard to support “They have done such a nice job of states. I spoke for about an hour, with a English. I was sitting near his wife and I two churches,” said Pat Schnirring. blending the traditional with the more young lady translating into German. They asked about singing in English. She said “Time moves on.” contemporary” at the new building, said were also very interested in our political that he had put them in just for me. It was First United Methodist’s pastor, the Lynn Woerner, who attended the old situation and upcoming elections. At the a wonderful experience to worship with Rev. Roger Ross, announced recently church as a child. close of the meeting Martin took up a col- them. After church and after coffee at that the last service would be June 22 at The Woerners’ son was baptized in the lection and I thought how very Methodist church, I was invited to the pastor’s home the old location, which is for sale. Each building that is about to close. to take an offering. But then he gave me where they had fixed a full Swiss meal. member of the congregation received a “It will be OK. I know the new church the collection! All of the pastors generously gave of letter informing them it would be clos- is where new people’s lives and families He said I should use it in my churches their time to visit with me and share how ing. are going to grow,” Lynn Woerner said. for a mission effort. The total was about they lived and worked as United First United Methodist Church has had Reprinted with permission from the 290 Francs which changed into $280. Methodists. I felt welcomed, cared for, a newer and larger location at 2941 S. June 6 issue of the State Journal-Register Martin also drove me home, so I didn’t and loved as I experienced United Koke Mill Road since 1995. in Springfield. have to take the train late at night. I appre- Methodism in Switzerland. First Methodist’s four ministers have ciated that. Page 6 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current July 2008 Local Church News A friendly challenge benefits Liberia Photo courtesy of Don Brake Members of Fairfield First UMC treated the staff and customers of a sheltered work- shop for the disabled, to a picnic June 10. About 125 persons were served hot dogs,

Photo by Beth Fender baked beans, potato salad, potato chips, cookies, and soft drinks in the picnic pavilion Cardinals fans of RiversEdge UMC in Spring Bay, Illinois, to the left of the bell, led by at their center. The center provides employment to the mentally and physically disabled Joe Helms (standing). Cubs fans to the right of the bell are led by Beth Fender (center, with a recycling center, lawn work, and various contractual projects. In all, 280 hot holding the helmet). The Cardinals fans are a bit downcast as the Cubs fans celebrate dogs were grilled and wrapped at the church. Those preparing and serving the meal their victory in a recent giving challenge. included Don Brake, Doug and Jane Rorex, Phil and Nina Brumfiel, Pat Gale, Nancy It started out as a simple announcement. choir, had already contributed $20 to the Coale, Ken Miller, Tom and Janice Tucker, Fred Bond, Ron Heflin, and Susan Brake. Rhonda Whitaker, conference lay cause. He suggested a little “friendly chal- This picnic has been held annually for a number of years and is very much enjoyed by leader, had challenged the conference laity lenge” between two distinct and often everyone involved in the project. to bring a $20 donation to the 2008 Annual oppositional groups in the church: fans of Conference session, with the goal of build- the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Sunset Home launches $1.4 million fund ing a school in Monrovia, Liberia. Cubs. development campaign As a lay member of the Annual He recommended that two batting hel- In anticipation of its Hopson stated, Conference, Beth Fender accepted that mets be put in the back of the sanctuary – 120th year of ministry, “Sunset is certainly challenge and decided to offer the oppor- red for the Cardinals and blue for the Sunset Home is launch- facing several chal- tunity to contribute to the school to the Cubs. Congregation members were chal- ing a $1.4 million lenges, but we are members of her local church, RiversEdge lenged to put donations of any size into the Leading the Way cam- confident these can be UMC in Spring Bay. helmets. All contributions would be paign with a goal of overcome. The $1.4 The announcement went as planned at passed along to the conference for the con- receiving an average of million will keep us on the 8 a.m. worship service. Those in atten- struction of the Liberian school. $1,000 from 1,400 our feet and is just the dance heard about the recent civil war in In the first week of the two-week chal- donors in gifts and beginning of a long- Liberia and the dire need for schools to lenge, Cubs fans took an early lead with pledges. term plan to help us prepare more leaders like Liberian $202 in contributions, while Cardinals The funds will be used to provide cover the cost of charity care.” In 2007 President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who was fans lagged behind with $148. When all benevolent care to those who cannot Sunset Home was blessed to be able to educated in United Methodist schools in the pennies were counted (along with a financially afford it. provide $1.6 million in charity care and to Liberia. Beth volunteered to convey any generous donation of $100 from one cou- In calendar year 2007, Sunset provided serve more than 277 seniors. donations from those who wished to join ple), it was discovered that the Cubs fans charity care to over 100 individuals at a Sunset began in 1889 when Charles and her in meeting Rhonda’s challenge. had held on for a final victory, with final cost of $1.6 million. Providing this care Augusta Pfeiffer sent a proposal to the Following the service, six members hand- totals of $280 for the Cubs and $183 for has left Sunset facing a large financial German Methodist Episcopal Conference ed her $20 bills. the Cardinals. When added to the initial deficit. offering to give their home and its con- Excited by this success, Beth prepared donations of $120, which were considered “Sunset has taken many steps to tents to the conference if the church would to make the same announcement at the “undesignated,” the grand total came to decrease expenses while continuing to continue its use as a home for the aged. 10:30 a.m. worship service. As she once $583. provide quality care to the residents who According to an April 1999 article in the again explained the need for the school, The RiversEdge congregation would depend on us,” according to Chris Quincy Herald Whig written by Carl Joe Helms stood up behind her in the choir like to challenge other IGRC churches to Hopson, CEO/Administrator. “With the Landrum, Sunset became the first loft. Joe, who serves as a children’s join them in supporting this project. renovations of the RiverView building Methodist home of its kind west of Sunday school teacher and pastor-parish Contributions should be designated 6990 - complete, we are also working hard to Chicago. relations chair in addition to singing in the Monrovia School. increase the number of individuals we The Pfeiffers were generously “Leading Family honors Jack North on 90th birthday serve. This will allow us to better serve the Way” then by offering their home to The family of Dr. Jack B. North will it by return email or our residents while utilizing our buildings “homeless old people” who no longer had hold a 90th birthday reception in his US mail. and employees more efficiently.” a place to live. Their heritage, serving honor on Sunday, July 20, at Champaign For more infor- Similar to other nursing care facilities, Jesus by opening their home to the aging, First UMC from 12:30 to 3 p.m. mation or to RSVP Sunset has seen a major cost increase in is the basis on which Sunset Home contin- A light lunch will be served, as will by July 1, contact utilities, medical supplies, and food costs ues “Leading the Way” today. cake with candles (the Champaign Fire North’s son, John over the last few years. The cost to pro- Gifts can be sent to Sunset Home, 418 Department will be notified). The party is North at: 2170 Old vide Sunset’s employees with adequate Washington, Quincy, IL 62301. To learn not a surprise. Anyone who wishes to Park Road, St. medical coverage has also seen a sharp more about Sunset Home’s services or share a memory or two may do so at the Joseph, IL 61873, increase. Due to these and other expenses ways to give to the campaign, contact Dr. Jack B. North event or in writing. If you are not able to or by phoning 217- as well as slow reimbursement schedules Barb Dietrich, Fund Development attend but have an experience to share 493-3329 or emailing [email protected]. from government sources, Sunset is facing Director, 217-223-2636, or visit Sunset’s (suitable for sharing aloud), you may send a large financial deficit. website at www.sunsethome.org. July 2008 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current Page 7 North Central Jurisdictional Conference IGRC nominee for bishop — Dr. Timothy L. Bias From your By Paul Black Grace UMC. The winds of change are blowing in Beverly Wilkes Null, herself an episco- “ episcopal Dr. Timothy pal candidate in 2004, noted that Bias was The United Methodist Church and a nominee… Bias tells the a “globetrotter” that can serve our world- bishop must have a global perspective

story of trying wide church. “The winds of change are of what it means to be The United

Methodist Church in our shared 21st Dear Members and Friends of the to win his blowing in The United Methodist Church “ Illinois Great Rivers Conference: f a t h e r ’ s and a bishop must have a global perspec- century context. Tim Bias has the nec- essary gifts and graces. approval as a tive of what it means to be The United Four years ago, you elected me, — Dr. Beverly Wilkes Null child. Methodist Church in our shared 21st cen- along with our delegation, to represent “I did any- tury context. Tim Bias has the necessary ships with people,” said Loy Sloan, one of you at the 2004 General Conference in thing I could to gifts and graces.” the coordinators of the Irving School Pittsburgh. Added to that honor was win my father’s Bias is pastor of Peoria First UMC, choir program. “You start by saying, ‘let’s an endorsement for the episcopacy in attention and having transferred to the Illinois Great go save them’ and then ‘let’s go serve the North Central Jurisdiction. favor,” he said. Rivers Conference March 1, 1999, from This past year, you, again, elected Dr. Timothy L. Bias them.’ But Tim challenged us to build “I would play the West Virginia Conference. He encour- relationships over a long period of time, me to represent you at the 2008 sports and do things I knew he was inter- aged his congregation to a new level of develop trust and invite them to be a part General Conference in Fort Worth ested in.” commitment with their ministries. of the family.” and, have enthusiastically endorsed It was only later in his teen years that Rev. Steve Pichaske, pastor of outreach me for the episcopacy. Bias learned that the favor he sought as a ■ Building Bridges within the community ministries, agrees. “Since Tim’s been My dream and vision for ministry, child had already been demonstrated by During Bias’ tenure in Peoria, the con- here, he’s been very intentional about when I started 34 years ago, was to be his father’s adoption of Bias. It is that gregation has been transformed from a inviting everyone into the life of the faithful to God and to serve a church faith story that tells much about the life of church that is downtown to a downtown church,” he said. “With that philosophy, the size of the one in which I grew up. Tim Bias. church that see itself lifting up the love of our ministries have taken the next steps to I have been blessed beyond all I could “I found out that my father had already Christ in the heart of the city. move outside our comfort zone. Tim’s ever imagine. loved and accepted me years earlier and I “People have a choice in regard to passion has become the church’s passion Today, I want to thank you, my hadn’t worked for it,” Bias says, recalling where they are going to live out their and it is clearly seen in our outreach.” friends and colleagues of the Illinois that serendipitous moment. “John Wesley Christian faith,” Bias says. “We seek to Great Rivers Conference, for the priv- called that prevenient grace – the grace make a significant difference in the Peoria ■ Building Bridges within the conference ilege we have had of serving our Lord that goes before us – that is neither earned tri-county area and we invite persons to Serving on the Conference Board of together in and through our confer- nor merited. We merely accept it.” join us in living out their Christian faith in Ordained Ministry, Bias led the Board ence. We have worked together in Bias emerged as the Illinois Great tangible ways. We are committed to being through a process that resulted in a minis- developing our partnership with Rivers Conference’s consensus candidate a ‘kingdon-oriented’ congregation in an terial effectiveness document and has Liberia and have grown together in during a period of discernment by IGRC urban setting.” modeled what it means to be in covenant our commitment to developing effec- delegates. The endorsement was unani- In the diversity in ministry at Peoria community. “I have worked with Tim for tive pastors. Because of who you are, mously affirmed at the 2008 annual con- First UMC, its community ministries seven years on the Board of Ordained I have made many life-long friends ference session. include partnering with an elementary Ministry,” said Rev. Deryck Sonaram, who continue to enrich my life, who “As we look at the essential qualities school, a prayer partnership with the BOM chair. “He has compassion for pas- pray with me, hold me accountable to and characteristics of an episcopal leader Peoria Police Department; Neutral tors coming through the process that will faith in Christ, and who are not afraid – one whose life is biblically and theolog- Ground, an HIV/AIDS ministry that part- serve him well as bishop.” to challenge me to be who God creat- ically grounded; relational; a passion for ners with the University of Illinois School Tim has taught in UMW Schools of ed me to be. connecting all people to God; integrity; of Medicine; a Loaves and Fishes min- Christian Mission in both West Virginia I want to thank Bishop Christopher and administrator, Tim Bias exemplifies istry, providing a hot meal to more than and Illinois. for inviting me into the Illinois Great all these qualities,” said Rev. Dr. J. Keith 250 marginalized persons in Peoria every “Tim has been supportive of the UMW Rivers Conference and for my Zimmerman, superintendent of the Saturday and a housing ministry that has as a pastor and Conference leader as well appointment to Peoria First. Although Vermilion River District. built 10 houses through a partnership with as being part of the General Board of I met her invitation with resistance, “Tim Bias is Christ-centered, center Habitat for Humanity. Global Ministries,” said Carolyn Yockey, God has been ever present and at work values, and gives Christ to other,” added “There is a natural progression that IGRC President of UMW. “Our confer- in the ministry of Peoria First. Pete Paulson, lay delegate from Decatur seems to build as you develop relation- ence UMW experienced spiritual growth I write today, because regardless of and new insights as Tim led the Spiritual the outcome of Jurisdictional Growth study, Shalom, Peace, Salaam at Conference in July, I will be forever the Conference School of Christian grateful for the honor and privilege of Mission.” being counted among the clergy and In 2004 and 2008, the Illinois Great being actively involved in the ministry Rivers Conference and its general and of the Illinois Great Rivers jurisdictional conference delegation have Conference. Thank you! Thank you! endorsed Bias’ nomination for bishop. In Thank you! 2004, Bias emerged as a darkhorse candi- Please keep the Jurisdictional date and was the last candidate to with- Conference and our delegation in your draw after the 35th ballot which led to the prayers. As I give thanks for you, I election of Bishop Sally Dyck on the 36th pray that each of you will always be as ballot. blessed as you have been a blessing. In Christ’s service, ■ Building Bridges across the connection Dr. Timothy L. Bias On April 17, the General Board of Directing Pastor Church and Society of The United First UMC, Peoria, Illinois Methodist Church withdrew a petition to the 2008 General Conference seeking

Photo by Bob Baker divestment of holdings in Caterpillar Inc. Members of the IGRC delegation join in prayer with the 2008 Annual Conference as as a result of talks brokered by Tim Bias they endorse Dr. Timothy Bias as their candidate for bishop. See Bias on page 8 . . . Page 8 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current July 2008 North Central Jurisdictional Conference Bias “We don’t bring about transformation Other endorsed nominees for bishop Continued from page 7 when we go toe-to-toe; we do it when By Paul Black community. He is a member of the General we go hand in hand. We sit down and Commission on Religion and Race as well between the church agency and the

find common ground and in the midst Some familiar faces are among the field as the NCJ Committee on Native American Peoria-based heavy equipment manufac- “ of the conversation, we find a way to of nominees for bishop in the North Ministries. He has been instrumental in turer. address the issue together. Central Jurisdiction. the development of the NCJ Native Bias got involved in facilitating conver- — Dr. Timothy Bias Of the field of 11 candidates, three of American Indian Lay Speaking School sation because no conversation took place them have made previous runs for bishop, and Native American Course of Study for between the two parties prior to the peti- and a $250,000 electrical generator has including IGRC nominee Dr. Timothy L. local pastors. tion’s filing. also been provided. Bias, pastor of Peoria First UMC. “Rev. DeVine has been instrumental in “If we are to bring transformation to the “Tim has touched my life in meaningful Rev. David Alan Bard, endorsed by the raising awareness of Native American world, we will do so by building trust and ways through his Christ-centered and Minnesota delegation, and Rev. Dr. Indian concerns in society and in The gaining trust with persons whose views spirit-filled ministry within our denomi- Jerome DeVine, endorsed by the North United Methodist Church,” said a state- may be different than our own,” Bias said. nation,” said Bishop John G. Innis of Central Jurisdiction Native American ment issued by CONAM. “He has “We don’t bring about transformation Liberia. “He is a man of strong faith, Ministries are making a second run for the encouraged us to share the gifts that we when we go toe-to-toe; we do it when we committed to the things of God in Jesus episcopacy. bring to the church from our cultures … go hand in hand. We sit down and find Christ. He has a deep love for The United Although not Native American himself, common ground and in the midst of the Methodist Church. His global vision for David Alan Bard we recognize that his heart and his faith conversation, we find a way to address the the church is beyond explanation. I join Rev. David Alan are one with us.” issue together.” others prayerfully endorsing Tim as a Bard, senior pastor of DeVine, a member of the West Bias hopes that the fruits of the talks nominee for the office of Bishop.” Duluth First UMC, is Michigan delegation, is the first alternate could impact the way people talk to one ■ About Tim Bias running for the second to General Conference. He has served another within The United Methodist Born in Ashland, Ky., Bias received an time, having run for various roles as pastor, Conference staff Church. When a proposed petition came undergraduate degree from Marshall bishop in 2004 and member and district superintendent. to the floor of General Conference con- University, a master’s of divinity degree withdrawing after the cerning socially responsible investing, from Candler School of Theology, Emory fourth ballot.th ballot. Randolph Cross Bias offered an amendment which passed University, and his Doctor of Ministry “As a former district superintendent and Rev. Randolph stating that the church was committed to degree in evangelism from United now as lead pastor of First United Cross currently serves holy conferencing with the parties Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. Methodist Church in Duluth, Minnesota, the Dakotas Confer- involved. At General Conference, Bias Bias and his wife, the former Kimberly David is a proven leader,” says Rev. Judy ence as both the Lower successfully amended a petition to add the Raynes, are the parents of two children. Zabel, pastor of Advent United Methodist James River District church’s commitment to holy conferenc- Bias began his parish ministry in West Church in Eagan and co-chairperson of the Superintendent and the ing as part of any talks dealing with Virginia, serving two rural churches. Minnesota delegation. conference Director of divestment or socially responsible invest- While at Candler, Bias was a student Bard, an experienced church-wide Leadership Development and ing. associate pastor at Jones Memorial UMC leader and pastor, believes that the United Connectional Ministries. With 28 years of ■ Building Bridges around the world in the North Georgia Conference where Methodist Church has a valuable and time- experience in a wide range of ministry set- In the closing moments of the 2005 Jones Memorial was recognized as the ly ministry needed by today’s world. tings, Cross has held appointments across annual conference, Tim Bias invited the conference’s “Church of the Year in “John Wesley [the founder of both Dakotas. Illinois Great Rivers Conference to form a Evangelism.” Methodism] did ‘emergent church’ in the “I’m humbled to be endorsed by our del- partnership with Liberia. What has From 1980 to 1995, Bias served West 18th century,” Bard says, referring to new egation,” said Cross. “When I look down emerged is a multi-million dollar partner- Virginia churches including Otterbein- Christian movement led by young adults. this path, I know it will only be one that I ship that has provided a focus for ministry Phillips Chapel UMC in Elkins, W. Va., “United Methodism has within its culture can take with friends, and with God.” beyond the conference borders. Last year, and Duff Street UMC in Clarksburg, and ethos an expression of Christian faith A native of Omaha, Neb., Cross earned a more than $1 million in support was sent where he developed relational evangelism that is attractive to, and needed by, the bachelor’s degree in Latin from the to Liberia centering around four major ministries that resulted in growth of world today, if we only claim who we are University of North Dakota and a master’s areas: church membership and worship atten- at our best, and seek to renew and revive in theology from Perkins School of • Scholarships to educate children dance in both settings. our tradition for the 21st century.” Divinity at Southern Methodist University. • Salary support for Liberian pastors A Denman Award winner in 1992, Bias Bard earned a doctor of philosophy He and his wife, Cheri, have two children. • Reconstruction of schools and churches served as Director of Proclamation degree from Southern Methodist • Health supplies and resources Evangelism with the General Board of University in 1994, with a focus in Laurie Haller Peoria First UMC has been a leader in Discipleship in Nashville, Tenn. It was Christian ethics. He earned a master of The Rev. Laurie this effort, providing $100,000 for the during his tenure at GBOD that he formed divinity degree from United Theological Haller, superintendent building of a hospital wing at the new a friendship with Liberian bishop John Seminary of the Twin Cities in 1984, and a of the Grand Rapids Ganta Hospital and $29,000 in scholar- Innis which led Bias to invite the Illinois bachelor’s degree in philosophy and psy- District, has been ships for Yancey School at Camphor Great Rivers Conference into a partner- chology from the University of Minnesota, endorsed for the epis- Mission. Through partnerships with sev- ship with Liberia at the 2005 annual con- Duluth, in 1981. copacy by the West eral local hospitals and international cor- ference. Michigan Conference porations, another $350,000 of equipment Jerome DeVine delegation to the 2008 United Methodist Episcopal candidates have posted information about themselves DeVine, currently General and Jurisdic-tional conferences. on the Web: superintendent of the Haller, 53, is highly regarded in the Albion District, based Michigan Area and beyond as a leader of David Alan Bard — www.davidbard.org in Battle Creek, Mich., deep spiritual integrity. Her weekly col- Timothy L. Bias — www.igrc.org/timbias.aspx in the West Michigan umn, Leading from the Heart, has become Randolph Cross — www.randolphcross.com Conference, is making a regular source of encouragement and Wesley S.K. Daniel — www.wesleyskdaniel.com his second run for the strength for laity and clergy alike. Jerome DeVine — www.jeromedevine.com episcopacy having received the endorse- Haller, who has a broad range of local, Laurie Haller — www.lauriehaller.org ment of the North Central Jurisdiction regional, and global experience in a variety Jorge Luis Meyorga Solis — www.jorgewi.org Native American Ministries caucus. of settings, believes that leadership in the Larry Pickens — www.larrypickens.org DeVine’s work has centered on equip- church involves the “risky business” of Christina Sung — www.ChristinaSung.org ping the church with a sensitivity neces- surrendering to God’s intentions: sary for a an increasingly multi-cultural See Nominees on page 9 . . . . July 2008 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current Page 9 North Central Jurisdictional Conference attended Chicago Public Schools. He is 2004. He has also endorsed by MARCHA, with a doctorate in evangelism and church Nominees married to Debra, and father of a daughter, the National Hispanic Caucus. development. Continued from page 8 Jessica. Born in Atiquizaya, El Salvador, he and “I am humbled by the many opportuni- his wife Rosy have three children and three Julius C. Trimble ties that God has given us to help shape a Frank Beard grandchildren. In the midst of El Dr. Julius C. future of hope. My prayer for The United Black United Salvador’s civil war in 1981, the family Trimble is the NCJ Methodist Church is that we would be pas- Methodists in the moved to the United States. They became Black Methodists for sionate leaders, working together to shape Indiana Area aong American citizens in 1988. Church Renewal’s a world where all can experience the disci- with the two Indiana Raised in a Catholic family, Rev. endorsed candidate pleship journey as one of grace and annual conferences Mayorga received Jesus Christ as his Lord and has been shalom.” have endorsed the Rev. and Savior at the age of 19 and was the endorsed by the East In addition to her church and communi- Dr. Frank Beard for first in his family to become a Protestant. Ohio Annual ty leadership, she is an avid marathoner the episcopacy. Beard currently serves as Now, two of his other siblings are also Conference. and tri-athlete and an accomplished musi- superintendent of the Kokomo District in United Methodist pastors. A pastor with 25 years’ experience, cian. She and her husband, the Rev. Gary the North Indiana Conference of The Trimble is the pastor of Aldersgate UMC Haller, have three young adult children. United Methodist Church. Christina Sung in Warrensville, Ohio, and is a clergy South Indiana Conference Black Sung is the pastor of member of the East Ohio Conference. Larry Pickens Methodists for Church Renewal (BMCR), St. Paul UMC in La He has preached in many places in the Larry Pickens is the North Indiana Conference Black Porte City, Iowa. United States as well as Liberia, South endorsed candidate of Methodists for Church Renewal and the Campaign literature cir- Africa, Zimbabwe and Sierra Leone. He the Northern Illinois Black United Methodist Pastors (BUMP) culated by friends and has been a leader in the United Methodist Conference. Pickens, of the Indiana Area recently gave their colleagues announced Women’s Schools of Christian Mission in who formerly served joint endorsement to Beard.Beard has led her candidacy and indicates she is East Ohio and Northern Illinois. He cur- as general secretary of the North Indiana Conference Delegations endorsed by the Iowa annual Conference rently teaches at both Baldwin Wallace the General to two General Conferences and serves on and several Asian and Korean-American College and Methodist Theological Commission on Christian Unity and several connectional boards and agencies, caucuses. School in Ohio. Interreligious Concerns from July 2004 to including on the General Board of Sung is a member of the General He has served on the General Board of December 2007, is a part of the Northern Discipleship. He also serves this year as Commission on Religion and Race and a Church and Society of The United Illinois Conference delegation, serving as the president of the North Indiana clergy member of the Iowa Conference. Methodist Church and as past organizing General Conference alternate and first Conference’s Cabinet. president of WE-CAN of Cleveland elected to jurisdictional conference. Beard, 50, is a native of Blytheville, Ark. Wesley S. K. Daniel (Westside East Congregation Acting Pickens indicated his priorities as bishop He moved with this family to Elkhart, Ind. The Iowa delegation Now) which served as an ecumenical would be leadership development, celebra- in 1966. Beard was ordained as a proba- and the Iowa faith-based community organization that tion of diversity, church growth, social jus- tionary clergy member of the North C o n f e r e n c e focused on race relations, public schools, tice and faith and worldwide mission. Indiana Conference in 1982 and as an Commission on Race and public safety. Rev. Pickens has been a member of the Elder in 1985. He has served churches in and Religion has Responding to a call to ministry at age Northern Illinois Conference for 23 years, Winchester, Ky., Middletown, Ky., and in endorsed the Rev. Dr. 16, Trimble worked as a teacher, commu- having been ordained as a deacon in 1985 Indiana at Anderson New Hope, Kokomo Wesley S.K. Daniel. nity organizer and social worker in and an elder in full connection in 1987. A Beamer, Elkhart Faith as associate pastor, A native of Sri Lanka, he has been in the Chicago prior to entering seminary. He leader with global and local experience, he and Walnut Creek as senior pastor. The United States for 30 years. More than 60 was nurtured in The United Methodist has served as associate pastor at St. Mark Bishop appointed him to the North Indiana members of his father’s family live in and Church and recently has led efforts to UMC, and senior pastor at Gorham, Maple Cabinet in 2004. around Colombo, the capital city of Sri bring attention to the issues of mental ill- Park and Elgin First UMC’s. He also Beard holds degrees from Taylor Lanka, and along the coastal regions where ness and domestic violence as opportuni- served on the Judicial Council of The University (B.A.) in Upland, Ind., Asbury a December 2004 tsunami demolished ties for United Methodist churches to be United Methodist Church. Theological Seminary (M.Div. and D. homes and livelihoods. engaged in ministries of caring. Pickens has been a delegate to General Min.) in Wilmore, Ky., and Christian Speaking to the Iowa delegation, Daniel A member of the host committee for Conference in 2000 and 2008 and delegate Theological Seminary (M.S.T.) in outlined 10 priorities, including calling the the 2000 General Conference held in to three World Methodist Conferences. As Indianapolis. church back to the basics, addressing “the Cleveland, Ohio, he has been elected a an ecumenical leader Pickens has been a social ills of our day,” initiating new faith delegate to the 2004 and 2008 General governing board member and General Jorge Luis communities, living by the Wesleyan Conferences. Assembly delegate for the National Mayorga Solis advice of “in essentials, unity, in non- On his leadership style, Trimble Council of Churches. The Wisconsin essentials, liberty, and in all things, chari- describes himself as one who believes in In December 2007, Pickens was dis- Conference has ty,” developing the leadership of laity and “intentional engagement and unapolo- missed as general secretaryof the endorsed the Rev. clergy, having a worldwide awareness and getic collaboration.” Commission on Christian Unity and Jorge Luis Mayorga being culturally relevant. Trimble and his wife of 29 years, Interreligious Concerns. Although the Solis, 53, for the epis- Daniel currently serves as Central Racelder Grandberry Trimble are both commission declined to elaborate on the copacy. District superintendent in the Iowa natives of Chicago. They have three reasons behind the decision not to re-elect Rev. Mayorga has earned high respect, Conference – a post he has held since young adult children. Pickens, a statement noted, “deep gratitude not only within the Wisconsin Conference, 2004. He is also dean of the 2007-2008 for the service of Dr. Larry Pickens has but nationally through his denominational Cabinet. He has served previous appoint- (Victoria Rebeck, director of communi- given to the commission, The United work as a member of the Board of ments in Iowa at Ames and Spencer. cations for the Minnesota Conference; Methodist Church and the ecumenical and Directors of the General Board of Higher Ordained in 1989, Daniel served as a Laura Owen, associate director of com- interfaith community.” Education and Ministry, as a facilitator for Program Consultant on the Conference munications for the Dakotas Conference; Pickens is a graduate of Garrett- the National Plan for Hispanic Ministry Council on Ministries, as Director of Linda Burson, communicator for the West Evangelical Theological Seminary, and as a consultant to annual conferences Evangelism Ministries and Director of Michigan Conference; Susan Dal Porto, Chicago Theological Seminary as well as establishing Hispanic ministries. He also Evangelism and International Church director of communications for the the DePaul University School of Law. Rev. teaches at Garrett Evangelical for the Development for the General Board of Northern Illinois Conference; and Dan Pickens was admitted to the Illinois and Course of Study. Discipleship. Gangler, director of communications for South Carolina Bar, as well as the trial bar Elected to General Conference in 2004 He is a graduate of Iowa Wesleyan the Indiana Area contributed to this of the U.S. District Court – Northern and the first clergy elected to the 2008 College, Asbury Theological Seminary, report). District of Illinois in 1997. General Conference, Rev. Mayorga has the E. Stanley Jones School of World Born and raised in Chicago, Pickens served as a District Superintendent since Mission and Fuller Theological Seminary Page 10 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current July 2008 Annual Conference Wrap-Up The Illinois Great Rivers Conference celebrated the lives and ministries of those A total of 645.25 years of ministry were celebrated with the Recognition of from the conference family who have gone on to the church triumphant at the June 5 the Retiring Class of 2008 and a video presentation, commissioned by the Memorial Service. Clergy and Spouses — deaths from May 2007 – May 2008. Preachers Aid Society and produced by the Conference Communication Ministries Team, featured each of the members of the retiring class.

Ronald Baker Harrison Blankenship Raymond Clodfelder Janet Deal July 2, 2007 July 12, 2007 January 24, 2008 December 10, 2007 L. Sue Bailey Ron Barrick Dale A. Beck 27 years 25 years 36 years

Alberta Dilworth George Fischer Opal Kathleen George John Glidden August 7, 2007 November 6, 2007 August 29, 2007 April 4, 2008 Don Burroughs Terry L. Clark John R. Crede 38 years 41 years 39 years

Bobby Lee Logan L. Dean Miller Mary Vick Roth Lois Ryan, May 12, 2007 April 5, 2008 December 29, 2007 April 13, 2008 Charles “Cal” Ryan January 24, 2008 Dennis Fager Martin R. Gutzmer Robert Lawry 23 years 35 years 46 years

Thomas Richards Roscoe Rose Helen Theobald L. Maxwell White September 10, 2007 June 11, 2007 March 18, 2008 February 11, 2008 Pinckney V. Love, Jr. Alan L. Newhall Brent K. Phillips Clergy and spouses (no photo available) 12 years 41 years 38 years Shirley Barrow July 14, 2007 Minerva Connett March 18, 2008 Claude Curry January 8, 2008 Anna Dugger April 10, 2008 Laverne Eaker February 3, 2008 Doris Mae Friesner October 3, 2007 Thelma Fisher-Marzahn January 23, 2008 Helen Murphy October 15, 2007 Karl Wright Omer Ulrich Lois Ann Provines January 6, 2008 November 18, 2007 Olney First UMC Beulah Purcell October 12, 2007 Lay Member Robert Roederer April 3, 2008 Lay members (no photo available) Helen Murphy October 15, 2007 Howard Sallee James N. Schuetz Robert W. Smith W. Wayne Briggs Beardstown UMC Lois Ann Provines January 6, 2008 13 years 42 years 38 years Carol Bruniga Milford UMC Beulah Purcell October 12, 2007 Jack Collins Murphysboro UMC Robert Roederer April 3, 2008 No photos available: Karen Frette Belleville Union UMC Ervin Schmidt March 11, 2008 Karol Brown – 4 years Al Geske Bloomington Park UMC Mary Lou Scott November 9, 2007 Ronald M. Johnson – 16 years Viva Harris Pekin Grace UMC Bernard Wahl, Jr. December 22, 2007 Louella R. Pence – 10 years Ben Hughes Macomb Wesley UMC Marilyn Warren December 23, 2007 Gretchen Stinebaugh – 32.75 years Doris Lee Leighty Macomb Wesley UMC Gary Whipple – 24.50 years Owen Manigold Grand Ridge UMC K. Wayne Pickett Peter Cartwright UMC Note: Rodney Herrick and Carol Edman Georgia Rountree Springfield Grace UMC are also retiring effective July 1, 2008, Mel Scarbeary Lexington First UMC John W. Younker but will be honored at the 2009 annual Francis Tegtmeier Belleville Union UMC 41 years Lenore White Toulon UMC conference. Bob Wisdom Winchester UMC July 2008 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current Page 11 Annual Conference Wrap-Up Indiana United Methodists approve merger of two conferences By Daniel R. Gangler* centers in Bloomington and Marion and an area office in Indianapolis has resulted in BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (UMNS)— administrative duplication and a need for With shouts of joy and prayers of thanks- better communication and recordkeeping. giving, members of The United Methodist Proponents say uniting the conferences Church’s South Indiana and North Indiana also will give Indiana United Methodists a annual conferences approved a plan to single statewide voice. merge the two regions into one new The bishop will appoint a transition Indiana Annual (regional) Conference. team to implement design plans. Features Bishop Mike Coyner of Indianapolis of the new annual conference, which was announced the results of votes by each two years in design, include: annual conference during the closing ses- Forming clergy into covenant groups and sion of the South Indiana legislative gath- all 1,200 congregations into ministry clus-

Photo by Bob Baker ering June 7 at the Indiana University ters for the support of and accountability to Family members of those remembered at Thursday's Memorial Service console one Auditorium in Bloomington. the mission of making disciples of Jesus another following the service. South Indiana members voted 616-185 Christ for the transformation of the world; on June 6 to unite with the North Indiana Dissolving the 18 districts across Memorial service pays tribute to ‘partners in Conference. North Indiana members, Indiana and establishing five resource cen- meeting May 30 in West Lafayette, voted ters to support the work of 10 districts; and a great conversation’ whose work continues 730-192 for the merger. Creating a new conference structure and By Paul Black Bortell said the memorial serve allowed The votes conclude 62 years of establishing a new conference center in the conference to join in the conversation, Methodist annual conference sessions at Indianapolis. Rev. Dr. Jim Bortell tells the story of two acknowledging the ministries shared Indiana University and 40 years of United The only major amendments to the 50- plaques at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. between laity and clergy, with colleagues, Methodist annual conference sessions at page unity document added youth and The first, which is found at the entrance of friends, and dear ones who have gone to Purdue University. young adults to the discussion-making the cathedral that reads, “when you enter the church triumphant within the last year In a June 9 letter to leaders of both con- process of the statewide church and added the Cathedral you join in a conversation and affirm the conversation with future ferences, Coyner thanked all who helped more staff in youth and young adult min- that was going on long before you came generations “maybe best represented by in the process. istries to the five resource centers across and will continue long after you leave.” the children in childcare within this build- “Thanks to all who have prayed, dis- the state. The second, placed there by the son of ing” for “as in another inscription on the cussed, disagreed, and worked together to Largest Protestant group architect Sir Christopher Wren, who grave of Charles Wesley: ‘God buries his shape the plan to date,” he wrote. “There The last such structural change of this designed the house of worship: “If you workmen but continues their work.’” are many ‘next steps’ to follow, but I sense magnitude in the state occurred in 1968 would see the man’s monument, look “God’s gift of life is wrapped fragile: the strong affirmation of both conferences when the former Methodist Church and around you.” handle with care,” Bortell said. “We are for us to continue on this journey together. former Evangelical United Brethren The Illinois Great Rivers Conference entrusted with our individual lives for a I pray that it will all be to the glory of God Church voted to become The United paid tribute to 34 clergy and clergy spous- time. With the glory of this gift goes a cer- and to the ministry of Christ here in Methodist Church. es and 16 laypersons – partners in the great tain amount of trouble. Many of those we Indiana.” With 225,000 United Methodists and conversation – and who have received the celebrate and for whom we grieve today Coyner called for a special session of 1,200 congregations in Indiana, The victory of resurrection during its annual had long full lives. Other’s lives were cut both conferences Oct. 4 at the Indiana United Methodist Church is the largest memorial service. way too short.” State Fairgrounds to finalize amendments, Protestant denomination in the state. “How fitting are (Wren’s) words as we And yet, within the earthen vessel, a elect committees and begin plans for the Methodists first established churches in remember these dear ones who have been child of God has Christian hope. “Our hope first combined Indiana Annual Conference Indiana in 1801. our partners in this great conversation,” for eternal life isn’t found in speculations session, scheduled for July 24-27, 2009, at The denomination also is related to three Bortell said. “Look at the churches that dot about streets paved with gold – dull replica Ball State University in Muncie. Indiana hospitals, three universities, three this conference, see the people whose lives pictures of this world (with glitz) nor Unified voice children’s homes, six residential facilities they blessed, the faith they preached and boastings of those who will not be left The merger is designed to streamline for seniors, one halfway house and seven taught, the justice causes they stood for, the behind. Our best words, thoughts, and administration of the Indiana Area to bring retreat/camps. All of these will be part of mission and relief work they inspired and expressions of eternal matters never cap- resources closer to congregations for their the new Indiana Conference. supported, look around you at this congre- ture the realities to which they point – they support. The new structure will have five *Gangler is director of communications gation, look within yourself. This is their cannot contain the mysteries of God. district resource centers across the state. for the Indiana Area of The United monument.” Christian hope wrapped up in a mystery.” Currently, having two annual conference Methodist Church. include the new Congregational Merab led a delegation of persons to the $7,274 for Africa University to provide Annual Conference Development Leadership Institute, aimed annual conference with Bishop Innis scholarships for two students, including Continued from page 1 at creating a culture for church growth. preaching the Ordination service. In all, one Liberian student; $4,642 for the Tom Rev. Dr. Timothy Bias, pastor of Peoria In an attempt to improve communication more than $1 million was raised for a vari- Brown Scholarship at Wiley College; First UMC as its candidate for the episco- within the conference, conference clergy ety of projects in Liberia during 2007 with $6,558 for the Ordinands work mission pacy following the report of the IGRC del- voted to require all pastors to have an email projects focusing on: education and schol- trip to Liberia in spring 2009; and $5,893 egation to General Conference. account provided by the conference and the arships; pastoral salary support; church for the Global AIDS Fund. Conference members focused on align- laity voted to allow the publication of their reconstruction; and healthcare, particularly Six elders and one deacon in full con- ing financial resources in the $14.6 million email addresses on a voluntary basis. bed nets to combat malaria. nection were ordained and one associate budget with the stated priorities of devel- Conference members also approved a Special offerings totaling more than member was elected. Four probationary opment of spiritual leaders; development resolution protecting wilderness areas and $50,000 were collected for a variety of members on elder track were commis- of disciple-making systems; new and revi- approved a designated Older Adult causes: $11,089 was collected by confer- sioned. Twenty-three pastors with a com- talized congregations; mission and out- Recognition Day in May. ence laity during its laity session for the bined 645 years of experience, retired. reach; and communication relations and The conference also celebrated its part- construction of a new school in Monrovia, Membership stands at 144,978, down technology. Conference members nership with the Liberia Annual Liberia; $14,819 for an educational 2,678. Worship attendance stands at approved revisions to its comprehensive Conference. Both Bishop John G. Innis endowment fund that will provide scholar- 70,019, down 4,412. Church school atten- plan for church growth and development to and Conference Lay Leader Rudolph ships and construction funds for Liberia; dance stands at 24,171, down 2,681. Page 12 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current July 2008 Annual Conference Wrap-Up Pathways, areas of focus key to returning church to movement Ough urges church to reclaim its transformational mission to the world of Bishops’ leadership of the denomina- starts aren’t working and they aren’t tion in its disciple-making mission. The adaptable to rapid change.” The result is seven components are: new models of ministry are emerging like Teaching the Wesleyan way of reach- a parent church giving birth to new con- ing and forming disciples of Jesus gregations. Christ. “It’s part of our DNA,” Ough Ending racism as we authentically said, noting that “we are a lot more evan- expand racial/ethnic ministries: “Both gelical than we are comfortable with; we go hand in hand,” Ough said. “We have to are a lot more Pentecostal than we are do both – end racism in the church and comfortable with and we are more social- then be in ministry of welcoming the ly engaged and involved than we are com- stranger in our midst. Some have suggest- fortable with.” Churches and conferences ed that one measure might be to track the that are teaching the Wesleyan way of dis- number of professions of faith among cipleship are the most vital. people of color.” Strengthening clergy and lay leader- Eliminating poverty in community ship: The direction of our leadership is with the poor: “There are few biblical the direction the church goes. Lovett mandates that are more clearer than min- Weems, in responding to the Seven Vision istry to and with the poor,” Ough said. Pathways asked two of his 10 provocative “The Gospels have a bias toward the questions: “Should we declare young poor.” United Methodist clergy an endangered Reaching and transforming the lives species?” (clergy under the age of 35 are of new generations of children: In 2006, less than 5 percent of the total clergy) and the number of persons from the millennial Photo by Bob Baker “Can we shift from spending large generation outnumbered Baby Boomers Bishop Bruce Ough discusses the Council of Bishops' Seven Vision Pathways as it seeks resources on a few ineffective clergy to by 1 million in the United States. “And to return The United Methodist Church from an institution to a movement. the many faithful” that need to be yet, the church is still fixated on Baby By Paul Black “What came from the meeting eight strengthened for their leadership role? Boomers,” Ough noted. years ago and more specifically in the last Ough noted that this is critical because As a result of the Council of Bishops’ Bishop Bruce Ough remembers his first four years has been a deep discussion on persons who are previously unchurched vision pathways, new collaborative efforts Council of Bishops meeting in November how to move the denomination from being will “join the pastor before they join the of ministry has formed among the general 2000. institutional to being a movement again,” church” and that the age of the pastor will church agencies. The four areas of focus “One-third of the bishops that year were Ought said. “In Acts 2, Pentecost shift the be within seven years of the age of the are; developing principled Christian lead- newly elected and were feeling their oats,” church.” parishioner. ers, starting new congregations and he said. “As a group we wanted to change Using a video, which is available for Transforming existing congrega- renewing existing ones, engaging in min- the church; what we didn’t understand or viewing and downloading at tions: Part of the challenge is to change istry with the poor and improving global fully appreciate was that the Holy Spirit www.igrc.org, Ough noted that the world what has been done “for ever and ever.” health. was already at work.” is changing exponentially. “The early Ough asked, “Don’t you get tired of Four calls to action are inviting per- Ough, who is completing his second Methodists were nimble. How long has it churches who focus on the 30 who attend sons to be a part of the United Methodist term as bishop of the West Ohio been since you have used that term to and ignore those that don’t know Christ?” movement. “Every individual can be Conference, told those at the Illinois Great describe our church?” he said. “We live in Developing new congregations: involved in these four calls of observing Rivers Annual Conference Thursday that a time where too many of our churches Several years ago, church growth consult- the three simple rules, reaching more peo- the church is called to respond to the same are a generation or less away from extinc- ant Lyle Schaller indicated that a confer- ple, younger people and more diverse question posed to Peter in Acts 2, “So tion. And yet, the Spirit is moving might- ence needed to start congregations at the people, fighting poverty by saving a child Now, What Do We Do?” and the answer ily on the continent of Africa and Asia. rate of 2 percent of its total. “Today, that and eliminating the killer diseases of that is emerging in The United Methodist It’s changing the context of ministry.” number is 4 percent,” Ough said, noting malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS,” Church has been in reclaiming its transfor- Ough outlines the Seven Vision that such conferences are being chal- Ough said. “These are the leading edges mational mission to the world. Pathways which have guided the Council lenged because the old methods of church to our response.” Transformational leadership begins with us Conferees challenged to live out what they profess By Paul Black lady said, “Thirteen.” Ough asked the woman to explain her response. Bishop Bruce Ough remembers a trip “There are 13 – 13 children that line up to tiny Rinard UMC, a tiny village out- to get on the school bus every day across side Ft. Dodge, Iowa several years ago. the street to go to the consolidated At that time, Ough was Council on school,” she said. “I pray for them and I Ministries Director of the Iowa pray for our church every day. And I pray Conference and had been invited to the that one day we might minister to those small community to work with the con- children. What if we took some of our gregation about its future. money and developed an after-school “The village’s three main institutions program so that when the children get off were the church, the gas station and bar,” the bus, they come here until their parents Ough said. “The church was beautiful, arrive home for work?” immaculate and well-kept with an A quiet stillness filled the room. “The endowment given for maintaining a wind was moving, the Spirit was working museum to the past.” because one woman took the risk to raise Photo by Bob Baker In a congregational conversation, one See Ough on page 13 . . . The children of the annual conference share several songs in Saturday’s closing session. July 2008 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current Page 13 Annual Conference Wrap-Up Electronic voting makes its debut at conference By Paul Black “After last year’s balloting, many of the comments on evaluations

Members of the Illinois Great Rivers said, ‘there has to be a better Conference got a taste of voting electroni- way to hold elections.’“ Members, cally as a demonstration of the technology we heard you. was used in Friday’s legislative session. — Paul Black, IGRC director of Utilizing wireless keypads the assembly communication ministries of nearly 1,000 members voted on various amendments and legislation, pushing a sin- utilize this to streamline and facilitate the gle key for “yes” or “no”. voting at general and jurisdictional confer- Brian Chan of Florida-based Option ences. Technologies guided the lay and clergy “After last year’s balloting, many of the members through a quick orientation ses- comments on evaluations said, ‘there has sion and answered questions about the to be a better way to hold elections.’ technology. Chan’s company was selected Members, we heard you,” said Paul Black, having worked with the West Michigan IGRC director of communication min- and Detroit conference earlier this year in istries. Black said although the next ballot- a joint annual conference session which ing wouldn’t occur until 2011, there was considered uniting the two conferences general consensus that if this was the into a single Michigan conference. direction that the conference wishes to go, Currently, both conferences share a bishop. electronic voting would be used in 2009

“The technology is versatile and can be and 2010 so members could become com- Photo by Bob Baker adapted to those situations anticipated,” fortable with using the keypads. Annual conference members waded into new waters using wireless electronic keypads Chan said, noting that the IGRC hopes to to cast their votes on the various reports and resolutions.

Ough offered the following ways in For page 21 for a summary of legislative action Ough which for individuals and churches to taken at the 2008 Annual Conference. Continued from page 12 position themselves for transformational her sail and whoosh…the wind caught it,” leadership: Ough said. “Today, nothing is left in It’s our behavior that forms us: prac- Rinard, Iowa. Even the bar and gas sta- tice the Three Simple Rules of Doing No tion are closed but the church is thriving.” Harm. Doing Good. And staying in love Ough challenged members of the with God. Illinois Great Rivers Conference to be Maintain the unity of the mission of “13 People” – persons who would pro- making disciples of Jesus Christ for the vide transformational leadership today. transformation of the world. “Do not let Utilizing Romans 12:1-2 as his text, Ough people divide this mission by saying ‘I’m identified the steps for transformational for making disciples of Jesus Christ,’ or ‘I leadership in the Rinard story: am for transforming the world,’ they are • Prayer – The woman sought God’s one thing and when you divide it, you direction. “When you begin to pray, God lose its power.” will move the church to be involved,” Maintain your strategic focus even Ough said. And with our shifts in demo- with the transition of episcopal leader- graphics, “some may be speaking ship. “The Council of Bishops have been Spanish,” noting the growth of the learning together and you are leading the Hispanic population throughout the United Methodist connection,” he said. United States. “The vision is larger than any individual • Courageously name current reality – episcopal leader and I applaud what you “Every church in the IGRC has 13, 1,300 have already done and a new bishop will or 13,000 persons that do not know Jesus also appreciate those efforts as well.” Christ,” Ough said. “The problem is that Support for the Four Areas of Focus instead of current reality, we adopt a cul- articulated by the general church leader- tural reality that says we are a dying com- ship of developing principled spiritual munity and there are no children.” leaders; starting new congregations and Photos by Bob Baker • Cast a vision – Casting a vision lifts renewing existing ones; engaging in min- up a vision of God’s preferred future. istry with the poor; and improving global “Notice the woman began with the health resources that were at hand,” Ough said. Seek alignment around the principle “We cannot move our congregations to of a movement: “Focus on identity, pur- transformation unless we are being trans- pose and vision, not on institutional Bishop Sharon Brown Christopher stands formed. Too many times, cultural reality preservation and regulation,” Ough said. next to the Old Grey Mare (aka Andy Black gets substituted for Kingdom reality.” Follow the money: 98 percent of local and James Rosse of Springfield Jerome “Vision is ultimately from God, but we church money stays within the local UMC) who paid a visit to the Conference share in the articulation of that vision and church, district and annual conference. session Thursday. Christopher recounted how it is lived out,” Ough said. “This isn’t “The other 2 percent funds the general that conference secretary Bill Werner had just about numbers or getting people into church and the new budget passed by the said he felt like a horse when assuming his duties four years ago, asking the Bishop, the church. It’s about being in a relation- 2008 General Conference are aligning “Which end am I?” The bishop's response was, “By the time you are finished, you will ship with God. Do we have the leadership around the seven vision pathways and the know!” And so with the help of conference members, Christopher asked Bill which end and desire to reach the 13?” four areas of focus,” Ough said. of the horse was he. Page 14 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current July 2008 PASTORAL APPOINTMENTS and SUPPLY 2008-2009 Additional pastoral appointments or changes to charges Crossville/Zion ...... Steven B. Williams 2FL EMBARRAS RIVER DISTRICT listed below may be made at any time deemed advisable ...... Van Scott 7SY District Superintendent by the bishop and cabinet (The Book of Discipline, Para Dahlgren/Macedonia ...... TBS Randall W. Reese 2 FE 434). This version current as of June 24, 2008 Dale/Oliver/Webb’s 1901 S. 4th St., Ste. 234 CODE Chapel ...... Geoffrey Flint 2SY Effingham 62401-4187 FE Elder in Full Connection DeSoto/Vergennes Wesley FD Deacon in Full Connection 217-347-3915, fax 217-347-3916 AM Associate Member Hallidayboro ...... Susan Burnett 2PL [email protected] PE Probationary Elder DuQuoin ...... Michael Ebersohl 4FE PM Probationary Member Eldorado/Raleigh ...... Julie Allison 4FE Altamont Circuit PD Probationary Deacon Elkville/Hurst ...... Gary Billiot 5PL Asbury/Dexter/Funkhouser/ FL Full time Local Pastor Enfield/Wesley Chapel ...... Mike Buckman 14PL Salem ...... Ed Wojnar 3SY PL Part time Local Pastor Equality/Wesley Chapel/ Altamont First ...... Jeffery VanDyke 6FE SP Student Local Pastor Ridgway ...... James Allison 1FL Annapolis/Kirk Chapel ..Catherine Pancake 2SY LP Other Local Pastor Fountain ...... Donald Bowers 2SY Beecher City/Shumway ...... Paul R. Bauer 5FE AF Affiliate Member Galatia ...... Harrison Peyton14RM Brownstown/Emmanuel ....Joe Montgomery 2SY RM Retired Full Member Glendale/Eddyville/Taylor ...... Julie Smith 2PE RA Retired Associate Member Casey ...... Penny Barber 5FE RP Retired Probationary Member Golconda/Rosiclare...... Charles Jackson 2RL Charleston Otterbein ...... Krista Price 5FE RL Retired Local Pastor Goreville/Creal Springs ...... Tim Woodard 5FL Charleston Wesley ...... Cynthia A. Jones 6FE SY Supply, Not Appointed Grand Tower/Wolf Lake/ ...... E. Michael Jones 6FE DM Diaconal Minister Ware...... Stephanie Shemwell 3PL ...... Tom Renardo 3PL TBS To Be Supplied Greater West Frankfort Parish Cowden/Lakewood ...... Lynette DeAtley 1FE OE Elder Member of other Annual Conference or West Frankfort Antioch /West Frankfort Cumberland United Methodist Parish other Methodist denomination Central/West Frankfort First/ Greenup/Toledo/Cottonwood/ OD Deacon Member of other Annual Conference Mt. Etna ...... Janice M. Devor 1FL Pleasant Valley/Salem/ OA Associate Member of other Annual Conference Greenwood...... Jean Webster 4RL Woodbury ...... Ed Davis 2FE OP Probationary Member of other Annual Harrisburg Circuit Conference ...... Tom Renardo 2PL OF Full Member of other denomination Dorris Heights/ Dogwood Prairie/Seed EP Elder/full minister recognized from other Mt. Moriah ...... Jon R. Westfall 16PL Chapel...... David Ducommon 8FL denomination serving UM probation Harrisburg First ...... Paul Widicus 6FE Edgar County New Vision Parish, Circuit 1 DP Deacon recognized from other denomination Herrin ...... William Edward Hoke 2FE Hume/Chrisman/Scottland ....Teri Shane 5FL serving UM probation Johnston City/Energy ...... Ted A. Hartley 1PE Edgar County New Vision Parish, Circuit 2 Jonesboro/Walnut Grove ...... Robert Fear 5RL Clay’s Prairie/Vermilion ...... TBS Joppa/Oak Grove...... TBS Edgar County New Vision Parish, Circuit 3 CACHE RIVER DISTRICT Karnak ...... Alan D. Milligan 3FE Paris Otterbein/Grandview ..Don Shane 5FL District Superintendent Marion Aldersgate ...... Timothy D. Ozment 2FE Effingham Centenary ...... Dan Harry 1FE J. Gregory Courtright 6 FE ...... Kenneth P. Burgard 2PE Flat Rock ...... Delbert Pancake 2FE 4503 W. DeYoung St., Ste. 201C Marion First ...... Victor K. Long 6FE Harmon ...... Gene Creek 5PL Marion 62959-5801 ...... Deborah L. Pollex 3PL Harvest...... Daniel Laack 6PL 618-998-0135, fax 618-998-0137 McHenry ...... TBS Kansas ...... Jeremy Harminson 2SY [email protected] McLeansboro First ...... James Peak 3FL Lerna/Johnstown ..L. Raymond Roberts, Jr. 4SY Metropolis ...... Gary Motta 4FE The United Methodist Churches of Marshall Anna...... William D. Minor 2FE Murphysboro ...... Larry A. Gilbert 1FE Armstrong/Dunlap ...... Miriam Snider 3PE Belknap/West Eden ...... Steve Heisner 14SY New Burnside ...... Jim Lambert 9PL Emmanuel/Zion ...... Justin Snider 3PE Benton First ...... Robert L. Shook 1FE Norris City/Shiloh ...... Janet L. Roy 1FE First ...... Richard Lewis 1FE Big Prairie/Maunie/ Ohio Chapel ...... Tammy Horn 5PL Patton ...... Daniel L. Garner 7SY Concord ...... C. William Fechtig 22RL Ohio River Circuit Trinity/Brick ...... Judy Williams 7FL Brookport/Powers ...... Norman C. Sloan 6RM Shawneetown/Cave In Rock/ Marshall Asbury/Oliver ...... Sharon Welliver 2SY Broughton ...... TBS Elizabethtown ...... Sharon L. Wilkerson 9PL Martinsville Parish Cache Chapel ...... Michael Shearer 1SY Olive Branch ...... Pete Ryan 5PL Martinsville/Friendship ....John Gartelos 7PL Cairo Tigert Memorial/First Presb. Olmsted ...... TBS Mattoon Faith/Humboldt ...... Jack Woods10RM Yoked/Mounds ...... Kelly Cox 14FL Pinckneyville ...... James E. Barnett 7FE Mattoon First ...... James Rhea 3FE Carbondale First ...... John Annable 14FE Sesser/Valier ...... Harold Quick 5FE Montgomery Good Shepherd’s Parish Carbondale Grace ...... Robert E. Sabo, Jr. 1FE Stiritz ...... Marion Ford 9RA Coffeen/Fillmore/Hillsboro/Irving/ Carmi Emmanuel ...... Steven J. Friese 2FE Sunfield ...... Michael L. Kesling 4AM Witt ...... Diane Bigley 2FL Carmi First ...... Gary L. Feldman 3FE Tate’s Chapel ...... TBS ...... John Walsh 2PL Carrier Mills ...... Joey Dunning 7FE Vergennes Faith ...... Angela N. Baughman 5PL ...... Vance Amerman 2SY Carterville ...... Stephen L. Palmer 10FE Vienna...... Lance Leeds 3FE Montrose ...... Kenneth Miller 8RM Cedar Grove/Pittsburg ...... April Turner 3SY West Frankfort Trinity ...... Mark Jordan 5FE Neoga/Etna ...... Deryck Sonaram 1FE Center/Cypress/Luther’s Chapel Zeigler/Royalton/ Newton Grace ...... Mario Mayer 3FE Center/Cypress ...... Mike Sharp 2SY Christopher ...... James R. Heaney 7OE Nokomis ...... Diwan Tiwade 1AM Luther’s Chapel ...... Kenneth Baker 5SY Oakland/Westfield ...... Charles Shelquist 2FE Cobden: Jesus es el Senor ...... Adrian Garcia 11FE Oblong Central ...... Tommy J. Brewer 4FE Colp ...... Lori Tockstein 3PL Oblong Evangelical ...... Howard Bell 5FE Crab Orchard/Pleasant Grove Cecil Atchison 7PL Palestine First/Palestine Grace ..Ruth Waite 3PL Cross Road/Tamms ...... Allen F. Vinson 5PL See Appointments on page 15 … July 2008 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current Page 15 2008-2009 Appointments Paris First ...... Gary Fairchild 2FE Lacon Sparland...... Casey Taylor 1FL Camargo/Newman/Murdock ...... Joy Starwalt 1OE Pearl Chapel ...... Robert McCarter 24PL LaFayette/West Jersey ...... Walter Miller 5PE ...... TBS Robinson First ...... Max W. Borah 4FE Laura/Monica ...... Marc Brown 5FE Catlin...... Janet Miller 1FE Robinson Otterbein/ Lewistown ...... William K. Bunnage 6AM Centerville/Seymour/White Hutsonville ...... Maurice Midgley 2FE Mackinaw...... Jack Wolfe 5FE Heath ...... Dalene Kuebler 9FL Shelby Cooperative Ministry Manito ...... Shane Smith 1FE Champaign Faith ...... J. Wesley Wilkey 3FE Fourth Street/Wesley Chapel/ Maples Mill...... Jerry Sawyer 2RL ...... Bradley D. Shumaker 9FE Westervelt ...... James Whitaker 1SY Morton ...... Paul H. Walles 2FE Champaign First...... Terry Harter 13FE Shelbyville First ...... Lee Lovett 4FE ...... Angel Taylor 1PL ...... Mary M. Brady 11FE St. Elmo Circuit Mossville...... William Adams 6FE ...... James Till 25FD Fairview/Trinity Chapel ....John Heicher 16PL Mount Pleasant ...... Kathy Sue Barrett 3PL Champaign New Horizon ...... Roger D. Perry 2FE St. Elmo First ...... Alice True 5AM Native American Fellowship Cissna Park/Rankin ...... TBS Stewardson/Mode ...... Nadine Preston 2FE - Dayspring ...... Carol Lakota Eastin 4FE Collison...... Janet Lee Longtin 2PL Strasburg/Washington Pekin First ...... Terry C. Edele 11FE Countryside ...... Kenneth D. Hutchens 8PE Gaskill ...... Kathryn Lewis 3FL ...... Judith Doyle14AM Danville Bowman Avenue...... Dennis Divan 2SY Sugar Grove ...... William Duke SY Pekin Grace...... Gary L. Ford 7FE ...... Jim C. Williams 4SY Tower Hill/Ramsey/ Peoria Bethel ...... Gary Wilson 10FE Danville Farmers Chapel ...... Glenn Huffman 4SY Herrick ...... Steve Livengood 1FL Peoria Bradley Epworth Thomas A. Eckhardt 20FE Danville First ...... Richard D. Sullins 2FE Vandalia Haley Chapel/ Peoria First...... Timothy L. Bias 10FE Danville St. James ...... Kenneth A. Cox 5FE Mt. Carmel...... John O’Dell 9RM ...... Beth Ann McLaughlin 11PE ...... Tiffany Black 11FE Vandalia Luster Chapel...... Louis Frick 1SY ...... Eric Swanson 1PE Donovan...... John M. Kraps 2OE Watson ...... Cyndi Wiedman 3PL ...... Vonna Lou Larson13RM East Lynn ...... TBS West Liberty/Kedron ...... Joe Crain 10PL ...... Cheryl L. Hendrix 8FD Fisher ...... R. Bruce Weiman 12FE Willow Hill/Falmouth ...... Richard Houser 6PL Peoria Forrest Hill ...... Curt D. Keller 2FE Fithian/Oakwood/Hebron ...... Kim Dancey 1FE Windsor/Zion Hill ...... Cathy B. Minor 2PE Peoria Madison Avenue ...... William Allen 4PL Gibson City ...... Kevin Boesen 2FE Zion/Oak Ridge ...... Linda Miller 5SY Peoria Northwest...... Deron Boyer 7FE Gifford/Ludlow...... Joye Perry 1PL Peoria University ...... Paul Arnold 1FE Gilman/Ashkum...... Steven Hartman 2FE ILLINOIS RIVER DISTRICT Princeville ...... Rex Hendrix 11FE Hindsboro/Mt. Gilead ...... Eric Garlick 8PL District Superintendent ...... Marc Brown 6FE Homer...... Stephen D. Burwell 4AM Melva J. Graham England 7 FE RiversEdge...... Joseph J. Richard 1FE Hoopeston/Wellington ...... Janet E. Eggleston 7FE 7820 N. University St., Ste. 102A Sheffield ...... Dale Kooi 2RM Iroquois/Sheldon ...... Larry Shultz 3PL Peoria 61614-8301 Shield’s Chapel/Locust Loda ...... Steve R. Anderson 2FE 309-683-0841, fax 309-683-0852 Lane ...... Camilla A. Hempstead 2FE Mahomet ...... Glen W. Bocox 4FE [email protected] St. David/Bryant...... TBS ...... Jeremiah Thompson 2PE Texas ...... Raymond P. Harrison 7RM Mansfield ...... Sharon R. Monroe 5AM Bartonville...... Linda Richard 4FE Threefold Parish Melvin/Sibley...... Karen Martin 6AM Blue Ridge ...... J. Michael Robison 23SY Canton South Park/Monterey/ Middlefork...... Sally Swaim 4PL Bradford Leet/Boyd’s Norris ...... Rick Atchley 10FL Milford/Goodwine/ Grove ...... Lee Legg 10FL Tiskilwa Community Stockland...... Rusty E. Beals 6FE Brimfield...... Leonard Thomas 2PL Church UM/AB ...... Michael Abel 1FE Mt. Vernon ...... Rachel Berry 2SY Canton Wesley ...... Roger W. Russell 2FE Toulon ...... Paul Wier 15FE Ogden/Broadlands...... Mark Slaatte 3FE Chillicothe ...... Ted J. Mitchell 3FE Tremont...... Chester Travis 3FE Onarga/Piper City...... Elizabeth Reis 1FL ...... Casey Taylor 1FL ...... Patricia A. Gareau 6PL Paxton...... Terry Westerfield 1FE Crossroads...... Thomas Goodell 5FE Varna/Washburn...... Amy Holman 4FL Pleasant Grove ...... TBS ...... Robert L. DeBolt 7FL Washington Evangelical ...... John Hauck 2FE Quest ...... Andrew Adams 6FE Cuba/London Mills/Smithfield White Chapel/Kingston Rantoul...... Joseph Scheets 5FE Brock ...... Paul D. Newhall 2FE Mines ...... James W. Reed 9FL Roberts/Thawville ...... Stan Rapp 8RA ...... Ardith Corsaw 2PL Willow Hill ...... Kenneth Hogren 10FE Rossville/Bismarck ...... Rebecca Laumeier 1FE Deer Creek ...... James A. Reynolds, Sr. 3PL Wyoming/Neponset ...... Martha Scaff 5FE Sadorus/Parkville ...... Kathy Murphy 4PL Delavan ...... Larry Moreau 2FE Salt Creek Parish Dunlap Prospect ...... Mary Kathryn Pearce 10FE IROQUOIS RIVER DISTRICT Farmer City/Weedman/ East Peoria Faith/Zion District Superintendent Weldon...... Dennis Smith 1FL Evangelical ...... William Lakota Eastin 2FE In-Sook Hwang 1 FE Savoy ...... James C. McClarey 12FE East Peoria First ...... Mary Arnold 1FE 303 S. Mattis Ave., Ste. 206 Shiloh ...... TBS Edwards ...... Phillip E. Merritt 12SY Champaign 61821-3070 Shining Light Parish Eureka ...... Ronald R. Martz 7FE 217-359-0640, fax 217-359-6255 Fairview/Fairmount/Georgetown/Indianola/ Fairview/Providence [email protected] Ridge Farm...... Jennie Chin 4FL Chapel ...... John Anderson 8PL ...... TBS Farmington ...... Jarrett E. Wells 1PE Allerton...... Sandi Hire 2PL Sidell ...... Charles Graul 1FL Glasford ...... Walter Wilkins 4AM Arcola...... Bruce Baker 5FE St. Joseph ...... Mark Harris 5PE Green Valley First/ Arthur...... Leroy Allison 2FE Sullivan ...... Garry Gromley 7FE Hopedale ...... Bruce W. Bolin Ghitalla 3FE Batestown/Union Corner...... Patti Wise 13PL Tolono/Pesotum ...... James N. Wheeler 3FE Hanna City/Trivoli ...... Joy Schlesselman 7FE Bellflower...... Steve Barrow 6PL Tuscola ...... Patty Johansen 2FE Henry ...... Peggy Emmert 3FL Bement ...... Mark R. Smith 2FL Urbana First ...... John Eastman Sims 6FE Kewanee ...... K. Bruce Rushing 7FE Bondville ...... J. Gerald Nichols 8RM See Appointments on page 16 … Page 16 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current July 2008 2008-2009 Appointments Urbana Grace...... J. Michael Smith 8FE Irvington ...... Bruce S. Gordon 4AM Greenfield/Rock Bridge ...... Tim Gossett 1FL Urbana Jesus’ Love Ministry ..Kook Jin Yun 13FE Mt. Vernon Hamilton/Warsaw ...... Julie Azbell 1FE Urbana Wesley ...... Howard L. White 6FE West Salem Trinity ...... Brad Henson 5AM Havana First ...... Sidney E. Davis, Jr. 1FE ...... Daniel King Crede 5FE Mt. Zion/Brown’s Chapel ...... Darryl Young 2FL Industry/Vermont ...... Robert D. Greene 2FE ...... David Dickey 8PL Olney First ...... Scott W. Carlson 7FE Jacksonville Asbury/Lynnville..Nancy Wood 5PL Villa Grove ...... Nicholas B. Showalter 6FE Olney Immanuel ...... Jeremy C. Henson 1FE Jacksonville Centenary/Jacksonville Watseka...... Paul L. Copeland 4FE Olney St. Paul/Noble ...... Bill Wiggs, Jr. 2FE Brooklyn...... Robert L. Foulk 4FE Woodland/Crescent City ...... Bobbi Shultz 3PL Parkersburg/Little Wabash ...... Cathy Seaton 8SY Jacksonville Grace ...... Michael W. Fender 1FE Pinkstaff/Birds...... TBS Jacksonville Wesley KASKASKIA RIVER DISTRICT Richview ...... Dennis Gambill 1SY Chapel ...... Robert J. McKelvey 2FE District Superintendent Salem Grace ...... Tom Corum 2FE Jerseyville...... Mark C. Myers 5FE Alan R. Rhein 7 FE Salem Trinity/Cubbage Living Faith...... Sandy Bunnell 2FE 4121 S. Water Tower Pl. Chapel ...... Dean A. Beals 3FE Loraine ...... Oliver Taube 23RL Mount Vernon 62864-6293 Sandoval/Patoka/Boulder...... Clayton Coffey 6AM Manchester...... Fred Hammond 1RM 618-242-2817, fax 618-242-2917 Shattuc/Gilead...... Mary Alice Cunningham 5SP Mt. Sterling ...... Bob Einhouse 6FE [email protected] St. Francisville ...... Richard Madden 6SY Murrayville ...... Dennis Powers 1FE Sumner/Beulah ...... Charliam Renner 2FE New Hope...... Dorothy Isaacs 9RL Albion/Bethel ...... Dale Wilfong 1AM Trinity Charge Northwest Parish Allendale/Adams Corner ....James Brookhart 2SY Clay City/Harmony Palmyra/Modesto/ Alma/Pleasant Grove ...... Lillian Phillips 5PL Bethel ...... Mark Canada 2FE Scottville ...... John Chrisler 9PL Ashley/Waltonville ...... Thomas Miller 2SY Union Chapel/Landes ...... Deetta Gaither 4PL Payson/Plainville/Richfield ....Stacy Tomich 2FL Bluford Otterbein/Wayne Vandalia First ...... Roger Grimmett 1FE Pittsfield...... Linda Peyla 5FE City ...... William Deuel 3PE Wayne County Parish Pleasant Hill/Hamburg ...... TBS Bonnie/Ina ...... Travis C. Perry 1SY Geff/Bethel/Cisne/Johnsonville ...... TBS Prairie Mission Cooperative Parish Bridgeport/Petrolia ...... Stephen E. Killion 6FL West Salem Zion ...... Mike Rucker 8FL Oakford/Bath/Fairview..Judy Vidakovich 1FL Browns ...... Floyd Wood 8SY Xenia...... Bob McNeeley 2SY Quincy Grace/Columbus ...... Connie Jenkins 1AM Calhoun/Ebenezer ...... Don Watson10OE Quincy Melrose Chapel ....Walter B. Carlson 6FE Centralia Demaree/Odin ...... Stephen Brown 2OF LA MOINE RIVER DISTRICT Quincy Union ...... Robert Morwell 8FE Centralia Faith/Central City ...... Phil Poe 13FE District Superintendent Quincy Vermont Street...... Louie F. Zuck 5FE Centralia First...... Linda Gordon 7AM Randall L. Robinson 6 FE Rural ...... John Curtis12RM Chauncey...... Jodi Finley 2SY 102 S. Fayette St., Jacksonville 62650-2097 Rushville First...... Steve Pichaske 1FE Claremont/Prairieton ...... Jim Majernik 11SY 217-245-9946, fax 217-243-5448 Virden First/Girard...... Patsy Kelly 1FE Dix/Union Chapel ...... Molly Spence Hawk 3PL [email protected] Virginia ...... William T. Braswell 5FE Enterprise/West ...... F. Jerry Herring 5FE Waverly ...... Janice K. Foulk 4FE Fairfield Ellen Moore ...... Brett Yates 1OF Adams County Group Ministry West Central Charge Fairfield First ...... C. Douglas Rorex 11FE Paloma/Pleasant Grove...... Scott Swigart 5PL Brooklyn/Ebenezer/Houston/Littleton/ Fairview ...... Don Barker 2SY Beverly/Kingston ...... Lois Sorrill 2SY Clayton (Federated)/Camden/ Farina ...... Mark Nowakowski 2FL Ashland/Peter Cartwright....Roosevelt Smith 2FE Elm Grove ...... Dixie Croxton 6FL Flora First ...... William S. Renner 6AM Barry...... Nancy Monahan 9FE ...... Ron Cox 2RL Flora Trinity ...... Doyle C. Williams 11SY Basco ...... TBS ...... Sharon Renner 1SY Garrison Temple/Marlow ...... TBS Batchtown ...... TBS West Pike Parish Golden Gate/Conway ....James W. Steinsultz 36PL Beardstown ...... C. Robert Schoolcraft 5AM Hull/New Canton ...... Sheila Kelly 1FE Grayville/Fortney ...... Joshua Williams 2PE Bethel/Kane ...... Jack Weller 7PL Winchester...... Robin R. Lyons 4FE Hopewell/Olive Branch ...... Robert Craft 4SY Bluff Springs...... William Hesseldenz 7SY Iuka ...... Scott Upton 2SY Bright Star United Methodist Parish MISSISSIPPI RIVER DISTRICT Kinmundy First/Wesley ..R. Duane Ambrose 4FE Griggsville/New Salem/Detroit/Florence/ District Superintendent Lancaster/Nye Chapel/Pleasant Oxville/Perry/Baylis ...... David Kelly 1FE Beverly Wilkes Null 7 FE Grove ...... Billy M. Coatney 6SY ...... Alvin Laird 7PL 121 Behrens St., Ste. 2, O’Fallon 62269-1510 Lawrenceville ...... Peg Ratliff 7SY 618-622-3072, fax 618-622-3073 First ...... Victor Eugene Ramsey II 3FE Camp Point/Centennial [email protected] Lawrenceville Otterbein/May Ebenezer ...... Joseph G. Tomich 2AM Chapel...... Michael Laflin 10OF Carlinville ...... Robert R. Taylor 3FE Alton Grace/Hartford/ Lawrenceville Zion/Billett ...... Gary Pearce 3FL Christ UMC Elsah ...... Charles Schwaab 5RL Louisville ...... Tim Pearce 2FE Carrollton/Christ ...... Sara Brown 1PL Alton Main Street ...... Robert Phillips 4FE Mt. Carmel Evangelical ...... Curtis L. Rush 3AM Carthage ...... William G. Pyatt 9FE ...... Nicole Cox 2PE Mt. Carmel Parish Circle of Grace Charge ...... Allynn Walker 7FL Mt. Carmel Trinity/Asbury Chapel/ Astoria/Sheldons Grove/Browning/ Belleville St. Matthew ...... James K. Slone 7FE Bellmont ...... Charles Trent 4FE Sugar Grove ...... Beth Nelson 2FE ...... Donna Blythe 4PE ...... Vaughn Courter 3SY Concord/Arenzville...... Timothy D. Rhodes 2FE ...... Larry Patton 13FD Mt. Vernon Epworth/Hopewell/ Doddsville ...... David Haney 5SY Belleville Signal Hill ...... Peter J. Wehrly 2FE Zion ...... Elton Storey 1PL Eagle Valley Charge Belleville Union/New Mt. Vernon First ...... David A. Eadie 7FE Bluffs/Naples ...... Mark Doane 7AM Athens ...... Edward R. Weston 2FE ...... Annelle Ruemmler 7FD Franklin/Durbin ...... Don Long, Sr.11AM Bethalto...... John Tennyson 6FE Mt. Vernon Wesley/ Grafton/Rosedale...... TBS ...... Judy Miller 1PL See Appointments on page 17 … July 2008 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current Page 17 2008-2009 Appointments Brighton St. Paul ...... Michael Paulson 3PE SANGAMON RIVER DISTRICT Sharon ...... M. Catherine Najmon 4FL Bunker Hill ...... Joyce Anders 2RL District Superintendent Sherman ...... G. Michael Pennell 5FE Cahokia Park ...... Robert E. Blinn 3SY Gerald G. King 6 FE South Fork/Fairview ...... Richard Miles 15FL Carlyle/Huey/ (5900 S. 2nd St.), PO Box 3487 Springfield Asbury...... William Burton 12OF Beckemeyer...... Keith A. Michaels 1FE Springfield 62708-3487 Springfield Douglas Avenue ..Julia Melgreen 4FE ...... Robert Souders 3SY 217-529-3257, Fax 217-529-4181 Springfield First Caseyville ...... David O. Kueker 4FE [email protected] ...... Roger Ross 2FE Chester...... Phillip Willison 2SY ...... Robert A. Swickard 7FE Collinsville ...... Mark Horn 1FL Argenta/Warrensburg ....Bong-Choul Hwang 3FE ...... Vincent Rohn 6FE Columbia Bethany ...... Raymond Long 2FE Assumption/Findlay...... Thomas Compton 8FE Springfield Grace/Springfield Coulterville/Tilden ...... Eunjoo Lee 2PE Athens/Cantrall...... Gloria Davis10AM Kumler...... Sylvester Weatherall 7FE East Alton First ...... Daniel Powers 5FE Auburn ...... David W. Venter 5FE ...... Florene Scott 3SP Edwardsville Immanuel ..Jackie Havis-Shear 3FE Bethany/Sanner Chapel ...... Jeff Stahl 1FL Springfield Jerome ...... Paul Black 7SY Edwardsville St. John’s ...... Sheryl Palmer 2FE Bissell...... Jack P. Joyner 9PL Springfield Laurel ...... John P. Hamilton 17FE Ellis Grove/New Palestine/ Blue Mound/Bethel ...... George F. Adam, Sr. 5FE Springfield Northside...... Kathleen Lossau 2FE Preston ...... John P. Best 3FE Buckeye/Owaneco ...... Betty Coffey 1FE Springfield Woodside ...... Jimmy Lee Poole 5FE Fairview Heights Christ ...... Shane Bishop 12FE Cerro Gordo ...... Daniel A. Lybarger 3FE ...... Linda Harrod 2PD ...... Allen W. Miller 1FE Chatham ...... Sara L. Isbell 2FE Sugar Creek...... Wes Osborn 4FE Fairview Hts. Prospect Park ...... Karen Oplt 5PL Cisco...... Dennis Wayne Beedy 12FE Taylorville ...... Charles Sward 2FE Gillespie First ...... Rachel Ann Stockle 4FE Clinton ...... Leah R. Pogemiller 5FE Thayer ...... Robert Sabo, Sr.12RM Glen Carbon New Bethel...... Chris Ritter 8FE Decatur Central/Decatur Williamsville ...... Richard F. Piscatelli 3SY Godfrey ...... Don E. Long, Jr. 5FE South Shores ...... Robert P. Baker 4FE Zion Chapel ...... Sally Hamon 4FE Granite City Dewey Ave...... TBS Decatur Christ ...... Gerald Savage 2FE Diaconal Minister Granite City Good Shepherd...... TBS Decatur First ...... Kent King-Nobles 2FE Springfield First...... James A. Rogers Granite City Nameoki ...... Timothy Pate 3FE ...... Kathy King-Nobles 2FE Granite City Niedringhaus ...... Carl Mesiti 4AM Decatur Grace...... Danny Cox 11FE SPOON RIVER DISTRICT Granite City Trinity ...... Lisa Guilliams 6PE ...... Raymond Hudson 2FE District Superintendent Greenville First ...... Jerry W. Watkins 3FE Decatur Wesley/Garver Brick...... Buzz Swett 2FL Janice L. Griffith 3 FE Highland Hope ...... Dan Perry 10FE Divernon/Farmersville/ 120 N. Kellogg St., Galesburg 61401-4785 Keyesport ...... Cheryl Cain 5SY Midland ...... Linda Vonck 2PE 309-344-1435, fax 309-344-1161 Lebanon ...... Joy Caschetta 2AM Easton...... D. Allen Sample 6PL [email protected] Litchfield St. Timothy....James O. Tinzmann 1FE Edinburg/Stonington ...... Raymond Radae 5FL Marissa ...... Christine Cunningham 3PE Elwin ...... Randy McGeehon 1AM ABC Parish Maryville St. Luke’s ....Sigurd N. Bjorklund 6FE Forsyth ...... Dan D. Seibert 1FE Altona/Bishop Hill/Clover Chapel ..TBS Mascoutah Bethel ...... Jason Woolever 2FE Fountain of Life...... Jennifer Seder 1FE Abingdon ...... Paul D. Dinges 6AM Medora/Piasa ...... H. Dean Blackburn 2SY Hammond/LaPlace ...... Pat A. Hutton 7PE Aledo ...... Jeffrey Bealmear 1FE Mt. Olive/Sorento...... Nancy Ribes 5PL Island Grove/Loami ...... Donald Peck 9OF Alpha ...... H. Suzanne Geer 5FL Mulberry Grove/Pleasant Kenney...... TBS Annawan Parish Mound...... Robert Chase 4SY Logan County Parish Community/Fairview...... Dan Wright 8FE Nashville Grace ...... John Prather 2FE Lincoln First/Beason/Elkhart/Hartsburg Biggsville/Gladstone ...... TBS New Baden ...... Pamela Hoffman 2FE New Holland...... Jame Hahs 7FE Blandinsville/Macomb O’Fallon First ...... Ronald G. Dickinson 3FE ...... Becky Brault 1AM Korean Fellowship ...... TBS ...... Joel Catlin 4FE ...... Dayle Badman 2PL Burnside ...... William I. Deisher 4SY ...... Ken Emery 6FD Long Creek/Dalton City...... Pam Bradford 1FL Bushnell/Avon ...... Trisha L. Chapman 2FL Okawville ...... Mary Lou Caswell 2PL Lovington ...... Larry Bricker 3PL Cambridge ...... John Eisfelder 1AM Pocahontas/Panama ...... Dave Trover 9FE Macon ...... David J. Hutton 7FE Colchester/Tennessee...... Gina Sheridan 2FE Rosewood Heights St. Paul..Daryl A. Fansler 9FE Maroa ...... Mark Schleeter 1FE Colona...... Steven J. Kettelkamp 7FE Shiloh ...... David Huff 14FE Mason City/San Jose ...... Stephen E. King 5FE Colusa/Appanoose Shipman/Dorchester...... Dennis Doane 8RM Middletown ...... Robert Ervin 2RL Yoked ...... TBS Sparta ...... Scott Henley 2FE Monticello ...... Michael F. Eischen 4FE East Moline Christ...... Alice Shirley 2FE St. Jacob ...... Debra J. Hoertel 3PL ...... Shelly E. Forrest 4FE Elmwood ...... Mark B. England Graham 4FE Staunton ...... Avis Richardson 3SY Moweaqua...... Sharon Treptow 4FE Fairview Center ...... Gabriel Wanck 1FL Steeleville/Percy ...... Matthew Jaiah 2SY Mt. Auburn ...... George Heineman 9RL Galesburg First...... Scott L. Grulke 8FE Trenton ...... Deborah Melzer 10FE Mt. Pulaski First/Chestnut ...... Marilyn R. Anell 6FD Trinity...... Rose Mary Booker-Jones 6FE Latham ...... Kevin P. Treptow 4FE Galesburg Missional Charge Troy/Worden...... Dennis Price 21FE Mt. Zion ...... Mark A. Kaley 5FE Galesburg Faith/Galesburg ...... Matthew Henson 8FE New Salem ...... Chuck Kurfman 2PL Emmanuel...... Jean R. Hembrough 2FE Wanda ...... Tony Paulson 2PE Niantic/Illiopolis ...... C. W. Reneker, Jr. 5AM Galva First ...... Ann M. Champion 1FE Waterloo Real Life ...... Matthew Henson 2FE Pana ...... David Hultberg 1FE Galva Grace ...... Russell Collister 2PL Wood River First/Benld ...... Mark Milhouse 4FL Pawnee...... Troy Benitone 8FE Geneseo First ...... Robert K. Freeman 5FE Diaconal Ministers Petersburg ...... John Vidakovich 1FE Geneseo Grace ...... John E. Davis 5FE Lebanon ...... Richard Boyd Raymond Community of Henderson/North Henderson ...... Lee Savage 2PL O’Fallon First ...... Robert Noland Faith/Morrisonville...... Kenneth D. Dees 4AM Hills Grove ...... Donald L. Long 11RL Riverton First...... Jonathan Dixon 11FE Hooppole Zion/Hillsdale ...... TBS Rochester ...... Jack Swank 6FE See Appointments on page 18 … Page 18 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current July 2008 2008-2009 Appointments Illinois City/Pine Bluff ...... Toni Ross 1PL Olive...... Patricia L. Allin 2FE Kempton...... David Phillips 1FE ...... Howard Ross 1PL ...... Barbara J. Anthony 2PL ...... Jane Bradford 1PL Jesus de Nazaret, Bloomington Wesley...... Vaughn A. Hoffman 5FE Streator First/Grand Ridge/ NCS ...... Juan Carlos Lara-Cardoso 7FL ...... Stan Irvin 5FE Long Point...... Bryce D. Hays 5FE Kirkwood/Smithshire ...... TBS Bonfield/Grand Prairie Parish ...... Lon Alderman 2PL Knoxville ...... Robert A. Herath 2FE Bonfield First/Bonfield Evangelical/ Tonica ...... Danira Parra 6FL LaHarpe/Durham/ Grand Prairie ...... John Cross 6FE Verona/Mazon ...... Mark Amenda 8PL Terre Haute ...... Thomas R. Wright 2FL Bourbonnais Grace...... Craig Sweet 8FE Wesley Sunrise Hispanic La Moine River Parish Braceville...... Andrea Lee Boggs 3PL Ministry...... Hiram Gonzalez 9FL Good Hope/ Bradley Wesley ...... Thomas A. Wilber 8FE Jerusalem...... Alan M. Simonson, Jr. 1FE Braidwood Streams of Hope UM Appointments to Extension Ministries Loraine ...... David H. Pyell 4FL Fellowship ...... Nathan R. Hopping 1SY A. Within the Connectional Structures of United Macomb Wesley...... Russell D. Smith 5FE Chatsworth/Forrest ...... R. David Reynolds 1FE Methodism (Paragraph 331.1b, 344.1a, c) ...... Steven M. Smith 7FE Chenoa ...... Robb McCoy 3PE Keith E. Anderson – 2 FE – Executive Director, The Maquon/Douglas/Orange Coal City ...... Thomas R. Logsdon 4FE Preachers’ Aid Society, Springfield Chapel...... Daniel D. Doty 7OF Colfax ...... Diane Yentes 5FL Jennifer Edwards Bertrand – 3 FE – Director, Milan Trinity/Green River ..James H. Ruberg 3FE Cooksville Union ...... TBS Wesley Foundation at Illinois State University, Mineral ...... Terry Lancaster 16PL Cornell/Blackstone...... Larry D. Frank, Jr. 1SY Normal; CC: First UMC, Normal Moline Bethel Wesley ...... Kenneth L. Harris 3FE Cropsey/Saybrook Wesbein..Paulette K. Cott 2FL J. Gregory Courtright - 6 FE - Superintendent, Moline Riverside ...... Donald Jackson 3FE Downs ...... Ronald C. George 3FE Cache River District, Marion ...... Jay Regginnitter 5PE Dwight ...... William Leppin 7FE Michael J. Crawford - 3 FE – Coordinator of Monmouth First ...... Jon Ermal Sims 4FE Ellsworth/New Congregational Development, Springfield; CC: Nauvoo ...... Lyren A. Haney 2PL Church Start ...... Charles Anthony 4AM Tuscola UMC New Philadelphia/Point El Paso ...... David Estep 6FE Kelligay King Crede - 5 FE – Chaplain, Pleasant ...... John Douglas 7SY Essex ...... Dori V. Noble 2SY Cunningham Children’s Home, Urbana; CC: Wesley Oquawka ...... Jeffrey R. Robbins 2SY Fairbury ...... Charles McDonald 4FE UMC, Urbana Orion...... David R. Schultz 3FE Five Points Parish Carol Edman – 4 SY - Chaplain, Evenglow Lodge, Reynolds/Taylor Ridge ...... Elizabeth Tickner 2FE Dana/Lostant/Minonk/Richland/ Pontiac Rock Island Two Wenona St. Johns...... Ivy Ameeta Silas 5FE Melva J. Graham England - 7 FE - Superintendent, Rivers...... Steven E. Anderson 5FE Flanagan ...... David Ross Baker 4SY Illinois River District, Peoria ...... Marjolein Anderson 5FE Herscher ...... Scott C. Baird 3AM Ted Frost - 4 PE - Director, United Methodist Roseville/Swan Creek...... Michael Mayfield 2FE Heyworth...... Amanda J. Richards 2FE Foundation, Springfield; CC: Chatham UMC Stronghurst/Carman ...... Eugene A. Turner 3FL Hudson ...... John Tymonko 2FE Janice L. Griffith – 3 FE – Superintendent, Spoon Twin Rivers Cooperative Parish Kankakee Asbury...... Steven Goodin 5FE River District, Galesburg Carbon Cliff/Church of the Cross/East Moline ...... Andrew Anthony 4SP Bruce Timothy Harrison - 11 FE - Grace/Fairfield/Hampton/Port Byron First/ Kankakee St. Mark...... Kathleen Sweet 13FE Chaplain/Director of Church Relations, McKendree Silvis...... Donald L. Robinson 5AM Kankakee Trinity/Aroma Park/ University, Lebanon; CC: Lebanon UMC ...... James A. Crozier 6PL Bradley Evangelical ..James A. Williams 1AM John R. Hartleroad - 3 FE – Executive Assistant to ...... Katherine E. Crozier 6FD ...... Hiram Gonzalez 1FL the Bishop, Illinois Area Office, Springfield; CC: ...... Chet McCoy 4PL LeRoy ...... Mary Louise Haxton 2FE First UMC, Springfield ...... Juan Carlos Lara-Cardoso 1FL Lexington First ...... Ray Owens 10FE Craig C. Hill - 14 FE - Associate Professor of New ...... Carol Stufflebeam 1PL Manteno ...... Harvey K. Gaither, III 8FE Testament, Wesley Theological Seminary, ...... John Crede 1SY McDowell ...... Donna Baker 11PL Washington, DC; CC: First UMC, Peoria United Church of Oneida ..Carolyn B. Weber 10OF McLean/Waynesville...... Andy Maxwell 2FL In-Sook Hwang - 1 FE - Superintendent, Iroquois Victoria/Maxey Chapel ....Sarah Beth Wanck 2SP Momence/Grant Park/ River District, Champaign Viola/Preemption...... Cindy Rettig 2FE Illiana Heights...... Jerry Haley 4FE Gerald G. King - 6 FE - Superintendent, Sangamon Walnut Grove ...... Dianne Duncan 1PL New Hope Parish River District, Springfield Westmer Larger Parish Hennepin/Magnolia/ Robert S. Kirby - 6 FE - Associate Director, Wesley Joy/Eliza/ McNabb ...... Brian P. Caughlan 2FE Foundation at University of Illinois, Urbana; CC: New Boston...... Richard A. Bishop 9FL Normal Calvary ...... Randall Perry 10FE Wesley UMC, Urbana Williamsfield/Dahinda/ ...... Lori A. Harvey 3FE David A. Lafary - 17 FE - Campus Elmore ...... Randall W. Douglass 13FE Normal First ...... John K. McIntosh 1FE Minister/Director, Wesley Foundation at Western ...... Cheryl Peterson-Karlan 1OF Illinois University, Macomb; CC: Wesley UMC, VERMILION RIVER DISTRICT Normal Morningstar...... Shalom S. L. Renner 5FE Macomb District Superintendent Odell ...... TBS Gary D. Livesay - 20 FE - Chaplain, Chaddock J. Keith Zimmerman 6 FE Pleasant Grove ...... Anet Satvedi 2SY School, Quincy; CC: Vermont Street UMC, Quincy 210 W. Water St., Ste. 2, Pontiac 61764-1790 Pontiac First ...... Phil Icenogle 6FE Kent A. Lolling – 3 FE – Director of Connectional 815-844-3530, fax 815-844-6583 ...... Grant D. Armstrong 2FL Ministries, Springfield [email protected] Ransom...... Paul White 5OE Alan D. Milligan - 23 FE - Conference Approved Reddick/South Evangelist, Director of Eagle House Ministries; CC: Atlanta/Ebenezer ...... Robert David Roy 2FE Wilmington ...... Dennis P. Brooks 6FE Vienna UMC Bloomington Grace ...... Richard H. Kerr 8FE Ritchey ...... TBS Beverly L. Wilkes Null - 7 FE - Superintendent, Bloomington Trinity of Hope UM Parish Roanoke/Secor ...... Kenneth G. Sloan-Couch 2FE Mississippi River District, O’Fallon Bloomington Faith/Bloomington Park/ Saunemin/Trinity Parish Jeffrey A. Rasche – 2 FE – Associate Director of Bloomington West/ Cabery/Cullom/ See Appointments on page 19 . . . July 2008 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current Page 19 2008-2009 Appointments Stewardship, Chaddock School, Quincy Paragraph 331.1a,c, 331.4, 344.1d Danny D. Wright, Army National Guard Randall W. Reese – 2 FE – Superintendent, Lori L. Bultemeier – 3 FD – Christian Life Embarras River District, Effingham Coordinator, The Baby Fold, Normal; CC: Calvary Diaconal Ministers Beyond the Local Church Alan R. Rhein - 7 FE - Superintendent, Kaskaskia UMC, Normal Carter L. Frank, Catholic Services for Children River District, Mount Vernon Stephen Lee Busick – 5 FD – The Christian and Youth Paige L. Roberts - 5 FE - Campus Minister, Wesley Counseling Center, Urbana; CC: New Horizon Foundation at Eastern Illinois University, UMC, Champaign Retired Ddiaconal Ministers Charleston; CC: Wesley UMC, Charleston Rebekah Dees-McMahon - 7 FE - Freedom House; Kenneth A. Bade Randall L. Robinson - 6 FE - Superintendent, La CC: Merwin Donahue Moine River District, Jacksonville Steve Heitkamp – 6 FE - Pastoral Care Counseling Nora M. Hanley Paul Stroble, Jr. - 9 FE - Department of History, Center, St. Louis, MO; CC: Union UMC, Belleville Vaudra M. Rushing University of Akron, Akron, Ohio; CC: First UMC, Linda A. Horrell - 1 FE – Lead Staff Pastoral Margaret L. Sayre Vandalia Counselor, Center for Counseling and Pastoral Care, Laura Jo Smith Karen Westerfield Tucker - 5 FE – Professor of Manchester, MO; CC: St. John’s UMC, Edwardsville Charles C. Taylor Worship, Boston University School of Theology, Rebecca B. Lembke – 2 FE – Youth Specialist, Duane H. Werner Boston, MA; CC: Wesley UMC, Urbana Division of Youth Services, Department of Social Richard A. VanGiesen - 13 FE – Treasurer and Services for the State of Missouri Certified in Christian Communication Director of Administrative Services, Springfield; Steve Lobacz - 8 FE - City of Chicago Dept. of Paul Black CC: Laurel UMC, Springfield Public Health, Division of Mental Health; CC: Bradley F. Watkins, II – 3 FE – Lessie Bates Davis Wesley UMC, Urbana Certified in Christian Education Neighborhood House, East St. Louis; CC: Christ Leon D. McClimans - 5 FE - Christian Counseling Beth Fender UMC, Fairview Heights Center, Inc., Tinley Park; CC: Gilman UMC Cheryl Hendrix Fred R. White - 17 FE - Conference Approved H. Edwin Snow - 2 FE - Chaplain, McCallie School, Marcia Heyboer Evangelist; CC: Beulah UMC, Sumner Chattanooga, TN; CC: Stronghurst UMC Howard L. White - 6 FE - Director, Wesley Stephanie Soon – 3 FD – Hospice Certified in Evangelism Foundation at University of Illinois, Urbana; CC: Chaplain/Bereavement Director, OSF Saint Francis; Sheila Fitts, (retired) Wesley UMC, Urbana CC: Normal Morningstar UMC J. Keith Zimmerman - 6 FE - Superintendent, Kathryn W. Tymonko – 1 FD – Westminster Certified in Music Vermilion River District, Pontiac Village Resident Services, Bloomington; CC: Richard F. Boyd Morningstar UMC, Normal Constance White Guennewig B. To Extension Ministries Under Endorsement Patrick Wadsworth - 10 FE - Part-time supply to Margaret L. Sayre (retired) by General Board of higher Education & Presbytery of South Louisiana; CC: Carlinville UMC Ministry, Division of Ordained Ministry, Section David Wence - 4 FE - Pastoral Counselor, Decatur Certified in Spiritual Formation of Chaplains (Paragraph 344.1b, c) Psychological Associates, Decatur; CC: Grace UMC, Sharon Colbert Garretson (retired) Bruce Baumberger - 2 FE - Chaplain, Alton Decatur Mary Ann Hedges Memorial Hospital, Alton Carl James Brown - 1 FE - Chaplain, Veteran’s Appointed in Other Annual Conferences and Certified in Youth Ministry Administration Hospital, Cleveland, OH Other Methodist Denominations (Paragraph John M. Hauck Donald L. DeJarnett - 3 FE - Spiritual Care 346.1) Services, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO; James DeMent — 2 FE – to Baltimore-Washington Missionaries Serving Outside the United States CC: Winchester UMC Conference Jacques Umembudi Akasa Kenneth R. Hayden - 4 FE - Director of Pastoral Glen Robyne – 3 FE – to North Indiana Conference Miguel Arenas-Herrera Care, Well-Span Health, York Hospital, York, PA; Lana Robyne – 3 FE – to North Indiana Conference Priscilla Jaiah CC: Carlyle UMC Janet McCarty James D. Johnson - 9 FE -Illinois Army National Appointed to Attend School (Paragraph 416.6) Eugene and Rachel Muembo Guard Chaplain; CC: First UMC, Springfield Anne Ferguson (FE) Connie Wieck Carl D. Johnston - 1 FE - U.S. Army Brian Manigold (FE) John D. Read - 25 FE - Chaplain, U.S. Army; CC: Missionaries Serving in the United States Good Shepherd UMC, Granite City Deaconess and Home Missionary Appointments Hector Sanchez Ronald A. Richter - 7 FE - Supervisory Chaplain, (Paragraph 1313.3) Mark and Becky Smallwood U. S. Bureau of Prisons, Federal Correctional Vae Rose Fultz - Coordinator for Services for Ruth Wiertzema Institution, Sheridan, OR; CC: Fairview UMC, Persons with Special Needs, LaMoine River District; Sally Wisner-Ott Sheffield CC: Centenary UMC, Jacksonville Margaret E. Siemer - 6 FE - Chaplain, U.S. Navy; Janet McCarty - SPMC Kidapawan City, Hispanic Mission Pastors CC: First UMC, Springfield Phillipines; CC: Centenary UMC, Jacksonville Adrian Garcia Douglas Stewart - 13 FE - Chaplain, St. Elizabeth Hiram Gonzalez Hospital, Belleville; CC: Shiloh UMC Individual Participation of Clergy in Armed Juan Carlos Lara-Cardoso Brian G. Storey - 7 FE - Director and Pastoral Forces Reserve or National Guard Units Counselor, Interfaith Counseling Center, Inc., (Paragraph 344.5e) Korean-American Mission Pastors Edwardsville; CC: St. John’s UMC, Edwardsville Howard S. Bell, U.S. Air Force Reserve Kook Jin Yun Mary S. Whetstone - 19 FE - Coordinator of Phillip L. Glick, U.S. Naval Reserve (Retired) Pastoral Care, Grant/Riverside Methodist Hospitals, Robert D. Greene, U.S. Air Force Reserve Deaf Missional Community Pastor Columbus, OH; CC: First UMC, Carmi F. Jerry Herring, Civil Air Patrol Elke Sharma James D. Johnson, National Guard C. Other Valid Ministries Under the Provisions of Jack Swank, U.S. Army Reserve See Appointments on page 20 . . . Page 20 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current July 2008 Conference News respond. The group was assisting senior Appointments Cleanup citizens and others who were unable to do Continued from page 19 Continued from page 1 some of the hard labor themselves. Retired Missionaries that Served in impacted by this natural disaster,” Volunteer David Bruun of Sugar Creek the United States Christopher wrote to the nearly 2,500 per- UMC said he had taken a truck from Donna Bischoff sons in the conference’s e-newsletter data- Midwest Mission Distribution Center to Barbara Campbell base. “At the same time I am hearing the help with the loading. Bruun said he and Mrs. Glenn S. (Ruth) Garvin stories of how the minds, hearts, and doors other volunteers had also come to assist the Beatrice Orrell of the people called United Methodist are residents of Hull after it fell victim to open in active and compassionate ways to floodwaters in 1993. Retired Missionaries that Served touch those whose lives are ravaged by our “Thirteen to 14 feet of water covered the Outside the United States overflowing rivers. We United Methodists town,” he recalled. “The Hull Methodist Mrs. Charles (Elva) Harper are assembling flood buckets, supporting Church was destroyed.” The church was the sandbagging efforts, reaching out to Marynell Kirkwood rebuilt on higher ground. Most of the town, those who are temporarily homeless, and however, remained in the flood’s path. Fusako Krummel offering listening ears to all who are The local American Red Cross has been Sarah Smith Lewis wrapped up in this moment of need. I see providing food, water and ice to roughly Lela Johnston Maxwell us United Methodists in television and 1,000 people a day who worked on the Jane Miller newspaper accounts telling their stories of levees. Stan and Beryl Moore response. I am grateful. Downstream areas “In moments like this all of us Christians Photo by Bunny Wolfe Sally Morris Downstream in Grafton, a creek rose Volunteers fill sandbags during relief have a role to play,” Christopher said. “We Donald Rudy over a flood evacuation route late June 21, efforts in Quincy. Marie Schneck can also offer hope. While the waters of causing temporary residential evacuations. team is capable of dispatching other com- Robert and Nadine Simpson our rivers run amok, we Christians know Occupants were able to return to their that in such moments the waters of God’s modities if necessary, but currently is only Rev. Paul Sims homes early June 22 after Jersey County ever flowing streams of grace, remem- Emergency Management officials deemed equipped with water and generators, typi- Dale and Alice Walker bered in our baptismal waters, will hold us, it safe to do so. cally the most-needed commodities after a Jack and Judy Williamson giving us the buoyancy needed to keep our In Calhoun County, the village of disaster, FEMA officials said. Jean Wolford heads above water.” Hamburg’s residents and volunteers Keithsburg Shane Bishop, pastor of Fairview watched with a steady eye as people In Keithsburg, a levee was breached Deaconesses Heights Christ UMC, along with his son, worked shifts June 22 to man pumps and June 14. By June 20, the river had dropped Vae Rose Fultz was able to secure 50 pallets of sandbags make sure a seven-foot wall of sandbags to 23 feet and was predicted to drop to Carol Mann from Lowe’s and have been delivered for had integrity. U.S. Army Corps of 22.2 feet June 23, according to the Janet McCarty use along the river. Engineers said Hamburg could expect National Weather Service. Flood stage is Evacuation also occurred in the western another foot rise by its crest June 25. 14 feet and the river crested at a record Retired Deaconesses Illinois community of Hull, where a The Illinois River at Hardin and 24.5 feet June 17. Barbara Campbell request by pastor Patsy Kelly was met with Beardstown was falling or holding steady The Salvation Army is serving meals at Nora Hanley an overwhelming response. The communi- June 22, with both cresting at approxi- the fire station and the Red Cross is pro- Mary Louise Piper ty of 500 also fell victim to the flood of mately 34.5 Wednesday. viding gloves, buckets and cleaning sup- 1993 and the Hull UMC was destroyed. Alton crested June 20, but towns are plies at City Hall, according to Josh Rochester UMC pastor Jack Swank said experiencing multi-day crests because of Howard, Keithsburg Fire Department cap- members of his congregation wanted to higher flows and heavier storage from tain and EMT. numerous levee breaches and overtopping. Due to worries about floodwater being — Storm news from other areas — A new command post has been estab- contaminated with diesel fuel and other lished. chemicals, residents are being encouraged East central Illinois Further south, efforts are already under- to wear boots, gloves and surgical masks Recovery efforts have already begun in the Lawrenceville area where the way in Chester and Randolph County as if entering their flood-damaged homes or Embarras and Wabash rivers reached flood levels. No potable drinking water was the Kaskaskia River has been closed due to going near the floodwater, Howard said. available but crews brought water into Lawrenceville and Bridgeport. flooding. Less flooding is predicted for the Another issue in Keithsburg has been A boil order was in effect for nearly a week as workers searched for a break in region due to breaches further north. looting, Howard said. Police have the line that feeds the city’s water supply. More than 200 families were displaced Officials are also working in Grand increased patrol hours following several but the need for housing was addressed by friends and neighbors according to Tower to reinforce a levee. incidents of looters traveling through reports from emergency officials contacted by IGRC Superintendent Alan Rhein Quad Cities floodwaters in boats and entering homes. and members of the conference disaster relief team. In the Quad Cities, a Federal Emergency Now that the water has receded, looters Meanwhile, in Coles County, a tornado touched down near the village of Lerna, Management Agency emergency response are traveling by foot, he said. southeast of Mattoon. More than 70 buildings were damaged by the June 7 storm. team has set up a staging area at the Rock Quincy Island Arsenal, equipped with power gen- Several volunteers also assisted with Tornado hits East Bay Camp erators and truckloads of clean water. The sandbagging efforts in Quincy where the A June 15 tornado left a path of destruction at East Bay Camp and camping officials team is awaiting a request from Illinois river was met with a corps of 8,000 volun- put out a call for volunteers to help clean up the site. Gov. Rod Blagojevich for assistance. teers. Crews moved in to clear several downed trees, which also damaged one of the FEMA has already completed preliminary Volunteers aided by 200 National Guard camp’s cabins and left the campsite without phone and electrical service. A generator damage assessments in 23 of the state’s troops worked tirelessly to bolster 54 miles restored power to the camp’s kitchen but the sand filter system, which affects the counties in anticipation of a request from of levees protecting against a crest of 31.5 camp’s sewage system is not pumping and the motor to the camp’s swimming pool was the state government. feet in nearby Hannibal, Mo. also damaged. FEMA is prepared to provide assistance “It’s been unbelievable,” said Quincy No one was injured at East Bay Camp, but three camper groups were on the grounds up to a 100-mile radius of its staging area. Mayor John Spring “This is the greatest at the time of the storm: Campalodeans, a group of first and second graders; The team at Arsenal Island was dispatched community in the world. People from all Counselors in Training; and a Lutheran youth camp. IGRC Camping Coordinator to assist the Region V area, which does not walks of life and all social-economic back- Peggy O’Neal said that the week was “a fairly light week” as it relates to IGRC include Iowa. Iowa is in Region VII. It’s grounds have been coming out. It’s just camps. “We were able to get the cleanup done this week, so I don’t anticipate any not yet known if a similar operation will be been terrific.” changes to our camping schedule,” O’Neal said. coordinated for the Iowa Quad-Cities. The July 2008 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current Page 21 Annual Conference Wrap-Up Legislative action Report 109 — Conference Board of Resolution 203 – Relational Covenant Resolution 213 – Changing Standing Pensions. Approved. passed on a show of hands. Rule regarding clergy vacation and activ- The 2008 conference acted upon the ities such as camping and School of following items: Resolution 110 – Illinois Great Rivers Resolution 204 – Removed from the Christian Mission. Approved by 2/3 vote. Conference Reserve Fund 2007. agenda. Resolution 100 – Removed from the Approved on a show of hands. Report 214 – Board of Trustees Report. agenda. Resolution 205 – Ruled Out of Order in Approved. Report 111 – CCFA Report on Tithe- the clergy session in that a declaratory Report 101 – Approved Advance Based Apportionments from 2007 decision must come before the full session Report 215 – Healthy food at annual Special for 2009. Several ministries were Annual Conference Session. Report of the annual conference. conference and local church meetings. added to the list presented before final received on show of hands Thursday dur- Defeated. passage. Final vote: 962-17. ing the initial budget presentation. Resolution 206 – Recognizing the Rural Witness Team as an official com- Report 216 – Covenant agreement with Report 102 – Approved Commission Report 112 – Revised Comprehensive mittee of the IGRC. Approved with minor United Methodist Retirement Village. on Equitable Compensation’s recom- Plan for Church Growth and amendments. Approved 904-65. mendation of a $1,200 raise for the min- Development. Five amendments offered imum salary paid for ordained pastors by the Congregational Development Resolution 207 – Removed from the Resolution 301 – Withdrawn. and full-time local pastors. The 2009 rate Team was approved as well as amend- agenda. will be $32,250 for clergy in full connec- ments by Sylvester Weatherall concerning Resolution 302 – Removed from the tion and $29,442 for full-time local pas- the development of ethnic minority Resolution 208 – Protecting wilderness agenda tors. Final vote: 933-50 churches and Roger Ross concerning the areas. Approved on a show of hands. goal of starting two new churches each Resolutions 303 to 310 – Report 103 – Aldersgate Federal year. A proposal to recommend that the Report 209 – Mandated Email Discontinuance of Foosland UMC, Credit Union. Report was received. net assets from abandoned churches Accounts for Pastors. Approved 278-108 Liberty Hill UMC, Martinsville St. Paul would be directed to Liberia for church after a motion to allow only clergy to vote UMC, Strawn UMC, Streator Grace, Report 104 – Report of the reconstruction. Two proposed amend- on clergy email accounts passed 713-259. Liverpool UMC, Lowpoint UMC and Communications Ministry Team. Report ments – one designating 10 percent of the Paris Trinity UMC’s. Approved. was received. proceeds and the other, 100 percent — Resolution 210 – Designated Older were referred to the Conference Board of Adult Recognition Day. Approved 542- Resolution 313 – 2009 IGRC Budget. Resolution 105 – CCFA Policies and Trustees and to the Congregational 452. Approved. Guidelines. All offered amendments Development Team for a report to the failed. Resolution as proposed passed on 2009 annual conference. Currently, all Resolution 211 – Add Lay Members E- Resolution 401 – Proceeds of the sale a show of hands. proceeds from abandoned churches are mail Addresses to Official Journal- of the parsonage for Crab Orchard UMC, used for new church starts in the IGRC. Yearbook which would allow lay mem- Cache River District. Added to the agenda Report 106 – Preachers Aid Society Motion to refer passed 678-257. The body bers on a voluntary basis to submit their on opening night. Approved by a show of and Benefit Fund. Approved. will return to consider passage of the email addresses for publication. Approved hands. Report as amended today. 422-194 with only laity voting on the mat- Report 107 – Benevolence Budget for ter. Resolution 402 – Change in the 2009. Approved. Resolution 201 – Requiring lenders to Standing Rules Regarding Clergy Sexual disclose full cost of loans. Defeated. Resolution 212 – Changing Standing Misconduct Training. Added to the agen- Report 108 – Withdrawn in favor of Rule regarding moving costs for retired da on opening night. Approved by a 2/3 Resolution 313 due to action of the Resolution 202 – Removed from the and/or incapacitated clergy. Approved by vote. General Conference. agenda. a 2/3 vote.

and distort, judge and even slander those band, Jim, she noted, “we are as different Bishop not aligned with our personal ideology. Cabinet as day and night. However, with all our Contiinued from page 24 In the name of God, we do harm to one Contiinued from page 24 differences, we will be celebrating our diminishing our capacity to offer hope another.” Christian individuals and communities 36th wedding anniversary in September,” for the world,” she said, noting that With the rupturing of relationships where they intentionally seek ways to she said. “I think that it’s our love for each membership in the church grew 34 per- inside the church, Christopher said the develop an atmosphere that supports and other, our love for our kids, and most cent in the 10-year period between 1995 church turns a deaf ear to the cry of our nurtures this process. importantly, our love for the Lord. and 2005. Most of that growth occurred neighbor. “The spiritual yearning of “Could it be that our churches’ future is Because we love and respect each other, across Africa and southeast Asia where those in our midst goes unheard and tied to our ability to live out the daily prac- we have been able to rise above the issues professing members increased 200 per- unheeded because of our need to con- tice of three simple rules given to us by that would divide.” cent, while membership in Europe vince them of the ‘right’ way based on John Wesley: Do no harm. Do good. Stay Citing John Wesley, Whitaker saw the decreased by 10 percent and in the our carefully calculated formulas of the- in Love with God?” Gilbert said. key to healthy relationships: “If your heart United States by 25 percent from 10.7 ology,” she said. “Left or right and mid- Laity Address is right as my heart is right, give me your million to 8 million. dle…we are all guilty. As a result, we do Whitaker shared with those in atten- hand. In essentials, unity; in non-essen- Christopher also noted that the aver- not listen to, much less hear, the yearn- dance her recent trip to Liberia, a journey tials, liberty; in all things, charity.” age United Methodist is 57 years old and ings of our neighbors’ hearts. Our own that taught her several things – about true “We can’t focus on making disciples if those under age 18 account for only 4.6 need deafens us to the need of others.” hospitality, about hope, lessons about rec- we are mired in arguments about non- percent of church membership. The answer is living the three simple onciliation and forgiveness and about get- essentials that have no eternal signifi- Another part of the struggle within rules. “To (John) Wesley, Christian faith ting along. cance,” she said. “Folks, it’s time to get includes ruptures in relationships. “Our was a connection with God and one “The Liberians have had to figure out over it! We cannot make disciples for the United Methodist soul is fractured by it.” another… a connection bound by – and how to overcome the horrible actions per- transformation of the world if we are bick- Christopher said the division in the in place for – the practice of three petuated during their civil war so that they ering with each other. Furthermore, who world causes the church to apply politi- incredibly simple rules: Do no harm, Do can work together to rebuild their nation,” in the world would want to join us in dis- cal solutions to relational differences. good, and Stay in love with God,” she she said. “We American United cipleship if all the world sees is a congre- “Left or right, conservative or liberal, we said. “They are relevant today – here in Methodists should follow their example.” gation or denomination that can’t get treat our baptized brothers and sisters as Peoria and in every corner of God’s Comparing her viewpoints, her lifestyle along?” if they are our enemies. We minimize earth.” and her likes and dislikes with her hus- Page 22 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current July 2008 Bishop Christopher’s Farewell IGRC: you are the apple of God’s eye (Editor’s note: The following remarks “… today, by God’s grace, we are were shared by Bishop Sharon A. Brown more or less one conference, the Christopher as part of a celebration of her Illinois Great Rivers Conference.

ministry in the Illinois Great Rivers We are with all our differences Conference June 5). bound together by one“ Lord, one Participating in uniting processes of faith, one baptism. annual conferences is not for the faint- — Bishop Christopher hearted. Leading uniting processes is not for the faint-hearted. Just to refresh your conference leadership—the superintend- memory: The Illinois Great Rivers ents in their ministry of oversight, and the Conference became one conference in conference staff in their ministry of equip- August, 1996. After some thirty years of ping and connecting congregations—are courtship with several broken engage- aligned with the vision and mission, work- ments, the former Southern Illinois ing collaboratively with one another and Conference and the former Central Illinois you, and engaged actively and creatively in Conference eloped, becoming one confer- resourcing you, congregations, as you cre- ence, two weeks before I arrived. ate disciple-making systems in your con-

We have spent the last twelve years gregations and resourcing you, pastors, in Photo by Bob Baker becoming a concrete manifestation of unity how to lead the congregations you serve Bishop Sharon Brown Christopher shares a laugh with former district superintendent that is already and always ours in Jesus and impact the geographic communities in Cindy Jones after Jones presented her with a Dora the Explorer action-figure doll dur- Christ. We journeyed from Egypt by cross- which your congregations are located. They ing the program honoring Christopher's 12 years as episcopal leader in the Illinois Area. ing the river—with fear and trembling and have pared and honed so that only the Howard Daughenbaugh, former district superintendent and assistant to the bishop looks sometimes wailing and gnashing of teeth. essential remains. on and joins in the tribute as a near-capacity crowd was a part of the celebration. Some of us formed Back-to-Egypt The congregations and pastors of this the Gospel and formed and demonstrated in things are possible. You can move moun- Committees. We wandered in the wilder- conference, as you move beyond mistrust faithfulness to God. To the extent I have in tains! ness with its goodly portion of disorienta- and competition, are becoming in fits and any way been rooted and faithful, I give So here is the prayer I will offer for you tion, whining, blaming, and scapegoating. starts one web of forming and learning and thanks to God. To the extent that I haven’t, from Charles and my new center of life in We crossed the river—again, entering the acting for the sake of our vision and mis- I ask God’s forgiveness and your forgive- Nashville, for I will continue to pray for Promised Land, only to find in this land of sion. ness. you: milk and honey strangers, differences, And I must speak of your generous heart To the extent I have been in any way I pray you will recognize, embrace, and hardships, and unanticipated constraints to that has united you in mission here in patient, rooted, calm, differentiated, and live out of the mighty power that God in face and address. Illinois and around the world. Early on you compassionate, to the extent that I have not Jesus Christ has already planted in you, rid- In our journey together we have grieved collected 221 tons of red beans and rice for capitulated to the penultimate distractions ing the winds of God’s Spirit wherever they that which was and will no longer be. We Haiti. The bean producers in the Dakotas that surround us, I give thanks to God, to decide to take you. have encountered deep cultural, racial, the- were calling their outlets in Illinois to find Charles and our children, to my Brown I pray you will discover in ever deeper ological, class and gender differences. We out what was going on with beans in family, to my covenant groups and spiritual ways through audacious risk-taking your have had our identity struggles sometimes Illinois! guides, to my friends, to my Wisconsin, connection with God made known in Jesus reminiscent of the struggles teenagers have. You took on ministries to children all Minnesota, Illinois, ecumenical, and Christ, with the human family, especially We have combated and survived personal across Illinois. Council of Bishops colleagues who have the poor, and our United Methodist move- grabs for power, control, and position. We And then there is our partnership with held me in being without fail for all the ment around the world. have lived through communal anxiety Liberia…Your commitment fueled by your years of my ministry, especially all the cab- I pray you will intentionally increase attacks. We have experienced manipulation compassion takes my breath away— inet members who have lived so patiently your capacity for disciple-making by form- by narcissistic tendencies. Liberian children going to school, thanks to with me, and to all of you who have prayed ing and sustaining clergy and lay leadership Yet, today, by God’s grace, we are more you; deaths by malaria decreasing, thanks for me without ceasing. To the extent that I in ongoing and comprehensive ways. or less one conference, the Illinois Great to you; schools, hospitals, and churches have succumbed to the conference’s inter- I pray you will leave all your leftover, Rivers Conference. We are with all our dif- being constructed, thanks to you; pastors nal tensions and detractors and acted in unresolved issues related to me in God’s ferences bound together by one Lord, one and their families being supported, thanks ways perceived to be and actually were hands for God’s keeping. That is, for your faith, one baptism… Thanks be to God! to you—new life for a war-devastated insensitive and hurtful, I ask God’s forgive- sake and the sake of your new bishop, I You, laity and clergy of IGRC, have been country, thanks to you. And through our ness and your forgiveness. pray you will let those issues go and wipe gallant, courageous, brave, daring, some- new Liberian friendships and connections, And finally I must offer publicly my your slate clean. times longsuffering, steadfast in the love of your souls are being opened and trans- deeply-felt thanks to Laurel United I pray you will welcome your new bish- God and neighbor made known in Jesus formed…AMAZING! You are an amazing Methodist Church in Springfield and Rev. op with open hearts, open minds, and open Christ. conference, an amazing conference, an John Hamilton. You are the congregation doors and experience in this time of transi- Even though you are sometimes mis- amazing conference, making disciples of and pastor who extended to Charles the tion an energy burst of extravagant propor- trusting of the expansiveness of God’s Jesus Christ for the transformation of the invitation to exercise his vocational call to tions of imagination and creativity that grace, you are clear about God’s vision, a world! ministry by teaching adults toward the end leads you even deeper into our United vision of all God’s people gathered around To the extent that I have in any way held of re-forming adults to live as faithful, 21st Methodist way of doing no harm, doing God’s table of grace, and you are living into God’s vision for us, facilitated our disciple- century people of God. We both are grate- good, and staying in love with God. that vision. making and disciple-living mission and ful. As St. Paul says, “Where sin abounds, Even though you have many different strategies, connected us to our larger As I have lived among you for twelve grace does all the more abound.” You have perspectives about how disciples of Jesus United Methodist, ecumenical, and human years, I have come to know you as a been agent of grace in mysterious, pro- Christ are formed and even though some of families, lifted our horizons and held the Christian community that can in the name found, life-shaping ways in my life. I have you don’t know how to do that, and maybe, hope…I am grateful to God. To the extent of God move mountains. You can do any- been deepened in unfathomable dimen- just maybe, a few of you don’t want to do that I haven’t, I ask for God’s forgiveness thing and everything you deem to be sions of God’s love as a result of my jour- that, you are clear about our mission: mak- and your forgiveness. responsive to God’s leading. Also, I have ney with you. I have been transformed. ing disciples of Jesus Christ for the trans- Early on I became clear that what God— come to know that sometimes you do not Living among you has been joy. I am pro- formation of the world. and you—needed from me was not leader- seem to know this about yourselves. So let foundly, profoundly grateful. Thanks be to In the midst of some lingering confer- ship measured by cultural glitziness or stan- me say it again: You are the apple of God’s God and to you. ence bashing, a symptom of uniting, your dards of success but leadership rooted in eye. Through your prayer and decision, all July 2008 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current Page 23 Christian Conversation A bishop for the FAQ’s about retirement and moving In six weeks or “… retirement is a precious gift whole church so, a moving van given to us United Methodist cler- will be loading gy by the church … I receive it as John Hartleroad is

Charles and my a responsibility not to be squan-

going to have a busy dered but to be lived in tune with things for our move “ summer. to Nashville, our Christian way of loving God As the keeper of the Tennessee, where and neighbor. bishop’s appointment we will take up our — Bishop Christopher calendar, the line has retired relationship our order to ministry and since there is no already started form- to the United way to retire from our baptism, I will in the ing as the Illinois Bishop Christopher Methodist ministry. coming months discern the way(s) I am Great Rivers Paul Black Many of you have asked about our plans meant to give myself actively for others. Conference prepares to and so in this my next-to-the-last Current receive a new bishop. article, I share with all of you the most fre- Q: Where will you live? I know from experience because a simi- Photo by Bob Baker quently asked questions, using a Q and A A: Charles and I have chosen Nashville, lar phenomenon occurred four years ago The issue that generated the greatest format. Tennessee, a diverse place where we have when I was serving in the Area Office. amount of mail during Bishop not yet lived and where we have many Persons who had long-standing issues or Christopher’s tenure centered around a Q: Why are you retiring? friends. In this retirement we have a won- felt frustrated by the current administra- $10,000 grant from the General A: The simple and yet complete answer derful opportunity to sort out and create a tion sought an audience to plead their case Commission on Religion and Race to a I shared in October when I announced my life around long-held values which to the new bishop. group that was actively involved in retir- retirement is still the same: because it is include: Of course, those appointments were ing Chief Illiniwek. time. Several factors seemed to converge, Housing is a function of our mission, abruptly cancelled when Bishop While it would have been easy to have indicating it is time. Living minimally contributes to the Christopher was reappointed for a third discredited the Commission for its action I have served as a United Methodist pas- reduction of carbon footprint, term in 2004. While some of those issues and to have played to the Illinois faithful, tor for thirty-eight years and a bishop for Handicapping accessibility affords the have been resolved, new issues have Bishop Christopher brought parties on twenty years. They have been incredibly chance to practice hospitality to all. emerged and the line is already forming. both sides of the issue together in enriching, joyful years. On the one hand, I To this end we are actively divesting of As the conference pays tribute to Christian conferencing so that both would have no desire or need to leave episcopal much of our material load and moving into Bishop Christopher’s 12 years of ministry have greater understanding of the other. ministry. On the other hand, I do want to a one-story, small condo unit in a three- as our episcopal leader, I believe that What emerged from the discussion was pay attention to the still, small inner voice story building that is within easy walking above everything else, Bishop Sharon the realization that the $10,000 grant had that speaks to me now and then about distance of all our daily needs like grocery Brown Christopher has been a bishop for nothing to do with retiring The Chief; the aspects of myself yet to be noticed and stores and pharmacies and medical care the entire church. $10,000 grant was given to fund a Native developed, the creative potentialities with- and walking trails and banks and restau- The office of bishop in The United American education program at the in that take back seat because of the press rants and… Methodist Church is a special ministry University of Illinois YMCA. and demand of episcopal leadership. It is within the order of elder. Part of that spe- And because of the talks brokered by time for re-invention into whatever God Q What church will you attend? cialized ministry is to support and encour- Bishop Christopher, accountability meas- has in store for me next. Without, in the A: As a bishop, my church membership age the ministry of all Christians. Implicit ures were put in place to ensure that funds moment, a clear blue print of this new resides in the Council of Bishops until I with that charge is encouraging and sup- were used for only the purpose intended. thing God is doing in me and needing time die. So, I will be a non-voting bishop with porting all baptized persons — not just Bishop Christopher also served a single and space to figure it out, I choose to retire, voice in the life of the Council of Bishops. those with whom we always find agree- year as president of the Council of trusting it will unfold in appropriate and Since Charles and I have both been ment. Bishops. It was also the first year of the missional ways. appointed, itinerant United Methodist min- Bishop Christopher’s gift to our confer- U.S. war in Iraq in which three pastoral Further, our grandchildren turn eight this isters, we will for the first time in our mar- ence has been that she is a bishop for the letters were written. summer. We long to be real-time grandpar- ried lives choose a United Methodist com- whole church. That doesn’t always sit well While it is easy to allow politics to ents with them, more than we are now. We munity in which we will worship and have with those that feel the need to have the inform our faith rather than the other way long to have more sustained relationship active relationship. We will visit and par- bishop’s affirmation in order to validate around, once again Bishop Christopher not only with our children but also with my ticipate until we find a congregation that their ministry or point of view. demonstrated with distinction both con- Brown family. Nurturing our friendships is feels like home. We are excited that we Often times, we take on the posture that cern over our government’s policy while also something we relish. We also antici- already have invitations from five friends “you are either for us or against us,” with- showing care for those that wear the uni- pate the additional time we will have with to worship with them in their respective out realizing that The United Methodist form of our armed forces. one another. congregations once we get to Nashville. Church is big enough to include the likes And when one examines a statement on of George W. Bush and Dick Cheney as Iraq, which passed the 2008 General Q: Why are you retiring early? In the answering of these questions, I well as Hillary Clinton in its family. Conference 836-28 several weeks ago, A: I’m not. I will be 64 before my offi- have used words like “re-inventing,” Within our conference, we have seen calling for the withdrawal and safe return cial retirement date of September 1. “divesting,”, “discerning,” “anticipating,” countless mailings about a group of pas- of troops from Iraq; the collaboration with According to our United Methodist polity, all words that point to the excitement and tors and laypersons that gathered several the United Nations and other countries to the next opportunity I, as bishop, would potential Charles and I feel as we end this years ago to talk about how to make the provide a lasting peace; the rebuilding of have for retirement is 2012 when I will be chapter of our lives and start a new one. I church more inclusive as it related to the the country; and the providing of adequate 68. am well aware that retirement is a precious church’s stance on homosexuality. funds for returning military personnel and gift given to us United Methodist clergy by While critics decried that holding such their families, Bishop Christopher’s letters Q: What are you going to do? the church and a phase of life available to discussions were chargeable offenses, the were prophetic. A: First, I am going to be rather than do. most of us who are middle and upper class. critical group aligned itself with renewal In the final analysis, it is probably too While I have had several opportunities As a result, I receive it as a responsibility groups and caucuses that gather every four early to assess the impact Bishop already offered to me, I have turned them not to be squandered but to be lived in tune years to discuss changes to the church’s Christopher has had in her 12 years with down in order to tend to my soul for at with our Christian way of loving God and Book of Discipline as it deals with abor- us. Time and some distance have a way of least four months or however long it takes neighbor. I am grateful for the journey to tion. One cannot have it both ways and a providing a more balanced perspective to de-compress, re-center, and discern how date and anticipate the potential that lies on bishop of the whole church is the bishop than instant analysis. God might want to use me on God’s behalf the other side of the threshold through we for both conservatives, progressives and Meanwhile, John Hartleroad’s calendar in the future. Since our baptism contains are walking. liberals alike. gets fuller each day. Page 24 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current July 2008 Annual Conference Wrap-Up Bishop urges church to threaten the world with resurrection By Paul Black hope by doing no harm, doing good, and loving God. In the midst of the world’s Bishop Sharon Brown Christopher desperation, we must set God’s table of urged United Methodists in the Illinois grace with conviction and passion so that Great Rivers Conference to demonstrate the physically, mentally and spiritually God’s purpose for the world by observing hungry of our world may know the hope three simple rules. we know in Jesus Christ.” “For such a time as this, God calls The Asking those gathered to sign a post- United Methodist Church to be a sign, a card with the three simples rules on it, demonstration of God’s purpose for the Christopher told the crowd to covenant world, so that when the world looks at us with others gathered for annual confer- they see people living responsibly and ence to live a life that mirrored the three gracefully by doing no harm, doing good, simple rules. and staying in love with God,” Utilizing sung responses set to the Walter Roland Wilkins was elected Katherine Elson Crozier was elected a Christopher said. “They will exclaim, ‘I Georgia Harkness hymn, Hope of the Associate Member by the 2008 Clergy full member deacon by the 2008 Clergy want to live the Jesus way, the Christian World, the liturgy moved the participants Session of the Illinois Great Rivers Session of the Illinois Great Rivers way, even the United Methodist way, for through confession and forgiveness Conference. He is pictured with Bishop Conference. She is pictured with Bishop in this way is hope.” where the tempo of the response moved Sharon Brown Christopher. Sharon Brown Christopher. Weaving together stories from around from the traditional tune to a jazzier ren- the connection into the liturgy of Holy dition courtesy of pianist Janet Kaizer. Communion, Christopher presented a “In the breaking of the bread, sin is 2008 Celebration of Ordination reprise of the Episcopal Address she transformed into forgiveness. Grief is delivered April 24 to the General transformed into joy,” Christopher said. Conference in Fort Worth, Texas. The “Conflict is transformed into peace. Fear multimedia presentation covered the is transformed into love. Despair is trans- globe and through the United Methodist formed into jjjhope. In the pouring of the connection, a sense of urgency emerged cup, life is reconciled….broken life is in the charge Christopher gave the open- mended. The rough places become plain. ing night crowd. Walls become bridges.” “We United Methodists in partnership Christopher noted that such transfor- with other Christians must go into the mative power is needed, pointing to the nooks and crannies, the highways and struggles inside the church and out. “Our byways, the peaks and the valleys and United Methodist struggles within are invite the people we encounter into God’s See Bishop on page 21 … Cabinet, Laity Address provide a snapshot of ministry By Paul Black work had centered around the disciple-

making task of the local congregation by Ordinands photos by Bob Baker Cabinet co-chairs Larry Gilbert and asking the following questions: Those that were elected as probationary members by the clergy session of the Illinois Greg Courtright noted that much had • What is a disciple? Great Rivers Conference are pictured, from left, Jarrett Evans Wells, Kenneth Price changed in the 35 years since they began • How is one made? Burgard, Bishop Sharon Brown Christopher, Justin Michael Snider and Miriam ministry. And while time has marched on, • How are we impacting the world? Rebekah Snider. many times churches get stuck in a time • Why do so many of our churches warp. struggle to fulfill this mission? “Today you can go into many United The annual conference, as part of its Methodist churches to worship on Sunday equipping and connecting function, has morning and you are right back in the put into place a structure aimed at putting 1970’s, or maybe the 60’s or maybe even persons at key tables of decision-making the 1930’s,” Courtright said, noting the and offer more opportunity for input into tension between the past and the present the focus and direction of the conference. can be expressed as: “how to be relevant The co-chairs also reported on the vari- and effective and at the same time not lose ety of assessment tools available for local who and what we are supposed to be.” churches through the IGRC Office of Meanwhile, Conference Lay Leader Congregational Development. Rhonda Whitaker shared the lessons from “If making disciples is a core emphasis a recent trip to Liberia and how it has of the mission of our church, then it also shaped her own discipleship. just makes sense that this important min- And yet, both addresses focused on istry should not be left to chance,” Gilbert three simple rules: Do no harm. Do good. said. “That is why the development of Stay in love with God. The annual intentional disciple formation systems is addresses provide the annual conference a another key emphasis. Christian disciples snapshot on the State of the Church and its are not developed in test tube or grown ministries. from seeds planted in the ground. (Left) Those being ordained elders in full connection are, from left, Kim Elise Dancey, Cabinet Address Christian disciples must be formed by John Michael Tymonko, Marc Elliot Brown, Bishop Sharon Brown Christopher, Gilbert noted that much of the Cabinet’s See Cabinet on page 21 … Matthew Scott Henson, Paige Leanne Roberts and Jackie Kaylene Havis-Shear.