The

News of Illinois Grueat Rivers Conrference of Trhe UnitedeMethodist Chnurch t Volume 14, NumbeCr 8 www.igrc.org April 2010 Passionate worship Lost in Wonder, Love and Praise is the theme

By Paul Black Australia – an amalgamation of Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational SPRINGFIELD – Persons attend - Churches – the third largest denomi - ing the 2010 Annual Conference nation in the country. will notice a number of changes Rayson’s first pastoral role was being implemented over previous in the regional town of Port years. Lincoln, South Australia… Reminders At the same time, a number where Steven Spielberg filmed I of things will remain the same, the underwater scenes of the Housing: Members of the annual including the Morning Manna movie Jaws. He also served as conference are responsible for securing worship on Thursday, Friday Chaplain/Pastor to the local their own housing during the confer - and Saturday mornings. High School of 900 students and ence. Materials with a list of motels with The annual conference theme is 60 staff. From Port Lincoln, reserved blocks of rooms have been Passionate Worship: Love in Rayson took an appointment to the mailed to the lay member to annual con - Wonder, Love and Praise, which is capital city of South Australia ference and pastors several weeks ago. taken from the last verse of the (Adelaide), where he served in two In order to reserve a room at the Charles Wesley hymn, Love Divine, parishes – Marion and Seacliff. prices quoted, reservations must be All Loves Excelling . With a passion for music infusing his made by May 2. The logo, which was designed by pastoral ministry, and increasing time If there has been a change in who will video production manager Suzy Burns, away from his churches accepting invita - be attending, contact your District draws on all three aspects of worship – tions to preach and sing elsewhere, he Superintendent so this information can wonder, love and praise – in silhouetted stepped out of fulltime pastoral ministry in be corrected in advance of annual con - ference. figures that are set on a background of the Seminary, 1997). He is a member of the 2000 and started Mike Rayson International I cross and a radiating heart. North American Academy of Liturgy Ministries, which is partnered with Memorial service: Persons who have Conference speaker (2009), the Consultation on Common Compassion International. The ministry served as lay members to annual confer - Rev. Taylor Burton- Texts (2005), and Prior for the organization runs under a 13-member board ence who died within the past year are Edwards, Director of CyberChapter of the Order of Saint Luke of directors and a constant prayer team that also remembered at the Memorial Worship Resources for (1996). has members spanning six countries. Service. Submit names of lay members the General Board of He is married to The Rev. Dr. Grace In 2005, Rayson and his family relocat - to Conference Lay Leader Rhonda Discipleship of The Burton-Edwards, an Episcopal Priest in the ed their ministry to the other side of the Whitaker at Whitakers@ mchsi.com or United Methodist Diocese of Indianapolis, Associate Rector world, just outside of Nashville. He is a by mail at 1264 Hickory Dr., Neoga, IL 62447 or by phone at 217-895-3962. Church, will be the of Trinity Episcopal Church in regular worship leader and preacher at the I conference speaker. Indianapolis, and Chaplain at its compan - Upper Room, and was also invited to min - Pre-Conference Workbook: All An elder in the ion ministry, St. Richard's School. ister last year in the world famous Central clergy and lay members should receive Rev. Burton- North Indiana Worship leader Methodist Meeting Hall in London. a packet in April of reports and resolu - Edwards Conference of The Evangelist Mike He has ministered with such people as tions to be acted upon by the annual conference session. United Methodist Church, Burton- Rayson will be leading Anne Graham Lotz—daughter of leg - I Edwards was Director of Community worship during the endary Christian Evangelist “Billy Displays: A group officially recog - Impact with United Way of Madison 2010 Annual Confer- Graham;” Rev Dr Len Sweet—author and nized by and/or related to the United County (Anderson, Ind.) 2002-2005; asso - ence, Bishop Gregory theologian; and has shared the musical Methodist Church that has secured dis - ciate pastor of First United Methodist V. Palmer announced. stage with Darlene Zschech—composer of play space will be able to set up in Church (Anderson, Ind.) 1998-2002; and Rayson, of Pleasant the song Shout To the Lord . Exhibit Hall D on Wednesday, June 2 pastor of Tyner UMC (1995-1998), Worship services from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. View, Tenn., is a I Wawaka UMC (1994-1995) and Waldron native of Australia and Attendees of the 2009 annual conference Promotion of events: All promotion Mike Rayson Baptist Church (American Baptist, 1991- no stranger to the Illinois warmly received the morning devotional of special meals and special guests will 1993). He served as Chair of the North Great Rivers Conference, as he has minis - period with Bishop Gregory V. Palmer be done through the pre-conference edi - Indiana Conference Board of Discipleship tered in a number of local congregations called Morning Manna and those periods tion of The Current , which will be a part (1997-2001). He has also taught at and most recently, served as worship will be a part of the Thursday, Friday and of the May 2010 issue. This will take the Anderson University (Peace Studies) and leader for Covenant Keepers 2009. Saturday morning schedules. place of flyers and brochures prepared Ivy Tech State College (Gerontology). After completing his education in tiny Conference will open on Wednesday independently. His academic work has focused heavily rural Australian schools, Rayson went on evening with the Memorial Service as the Materials for The Current will be on history (BA, Kenyon College 1985), to a career in the media. After hosting conference remembers those who have edited by The Current editors. Deadline historical theology/liturgy (M.Div. number 1 rated radio programs in rural, entered the Church Triumphant in the past for copy is Friday, April 2. Southern Baptist Theological Seminary regional and metropolitan markets and year. Holy Communion will be celebrated Materials can be sent to Paul Black, 1990), and the intersection of peacemaking writing many national radio commercial by Bishop Palmer. Director of Communication Ministries and liturgical studies (MA in Peace campaigns, he heeded God’s call, and went An all-conference dinner which will fea - by email at [email protected] or by mail - Studies, Associated Mennonite Biblical on to ministry with the Uniting Church of See Passionate worship on page 20 … See Reminders on page 20 … Page 2 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current April 2010 News from the Episcopal Office Resurrection: to forgive and to be forgiven Appointments programs of spiritual lessons, mentoring and supervising recreational events while Dear friends in Jesus Christ: In consultation with the Cabinet of the building personal relationships with indi - I greet you in the strong name of Jesus as we finish the Lenten Illinois Great Rivers Conference, Bishop viduals. Contact the church at 618-532- journey and prepare for the feast of Easter. Gregory V. Palmer appoints the follow - 7361 or Rev Gordon at 618-332-9494. I am hunching that a good many of you have used these days of ing pastors: Lent to give yourself over to the practicing of some new discipline R. Bruce Weiman to Living Faith, Deaths through either abstinence or doing. Across the last several years LaMoine River District, effective July 1. Marian Olsen , widow of the Rev. there has been a renewed interest in the church about the ways in Tom Corum to Champaign: First, John Arnold Olsen, died March 13. She which we are formed in Christ Jesus. In the nineties Dorothy Bass Iroquois River District, effective July 1. and her husband served churches in the edited an important book entitled Practicing Our Faith: A Way of Brian Manigold to appointment Troy, New England and Central Illinois Bishop Palmer Life for a Searching People . A few years ago Bishop Robert beyond the local church, Veterans’ Conferences, retiring from Decatur First Schnase blessed the church with Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations. (I commend Administration – Illiana Health Care UMC in 1981. Expressions of sympathy both of these books to you for you reading and re-reading). Systems, Danville, Vermilion River may be sent to a daughter, Judy Allen, Craig Dykstra says "Christian practices are not activities we do to make something District, effective March 1. 1364 Deep Run Road, Naperville, IL spiritual happen in our lives. Nor are they duties we undertake to be obedient to God. David Poland to Colusa and 60540. Rather, they are patterns of communal action that create openings in our lives where Appanoose Yoked, Spoon River District, Rev. Kenneth “Doc” Bissey retired the grace, mercy, and presence of God may be made known to us. They are places where effective March 1. pastor, died March 9. Rev. Bissey pas - the power of God is experienced. In the end, these are not ultimately our practices but Dan Seibert to Monticello, Sangamon tored churches in the former Southern forms of participation in the practice of God." I would add that the practices are both River District, effective July 1. Charge realignments Illinois Conference, retiring in 1983. personal and communal but never private. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to During these Lenten days I have been thinking a great deal about the practice of for - Bruce S. Gordon to Mt. Vernon: his widow, Ada Belle Bissey, 322 Foster giveness. I did not necessarily begin this season with a plan to spend a lot of energy Wesley and Irvington, Kaskaskia River St., Olney, IL 62450-1928. focused on forgiveness as a Christian practice, but for a number of reasons it took a District, effective Jan. 1. Norma Darling , widow of the Rev. C. prominent place on my radar screen. This was mostly as a result of things that I was Chuck Trent to Mt. Carmel: Trinity Eugene Darling, died Feb. 22 in invited to help tend through my work. As these things came to me the fractures in rela - and Adam’s Corner, Kaskaskia River California. The Darlings served churches tionships especially in the body of Christ simply could not be ignored. So beyond the District, effective March 1. Supply not appointed in the former Central Illinois Conference, work, I needed to claim anew the reality and power of forgiveness. retiring from Paxton in 1974. After all God’s message to us in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is that Oren Banks to Richey and Essex, Expressions of sympathy may be sent to we are forgiven and invited to live in forgiving and reconciling ways with one another, Vermilion River District, effective her son, The Rev. Steve Darling, 511 the world and the creation. Throughout his earthly ministry Jesus the Christ preached, March 1. Acorn Way, Lodi, CA 95242-4652. taught and practiced forgiveness. He did it as he walked the dusty roads. As he broke bread. As he healed the sick. As he hung on the cross. As he appeared to his disciples Positions following his awesome and glorious resurrection. Youth minister — Centralia First Correction To forgive and be forgiven is indeed to experience the power of resurrection. Let’s UMC is seeking an individual to work This is a claim this Christian practice again this Holy week and Easter. with youth. Responsibilities include reminder that the Yours in Christ, ¦ Sunday worship attendance, teen Sunday email address Gregory Vaughn Palmer School teacher, developing weekly youth printed in the 2010 Program Harter appointed Sangamon River District superintendent Calendar and Staff Directory Harter added that the new chapter of Harter was ordained a deacon in the for the ministry is one in which he is “humbled North Indiana Conference in 1970 and was Sangamon River and honored” at the same moment. “And ordained an elder in 1978. After serving a District office is more than a little anxious that I can live year as a pastor in the former Southern incorrect. into this calling,” he added. New England Conference and a year as a The correct email address is: In describing the recent turn of events, visiting instructor at the Southern [email protected] . An old Harter said he felt like Moses. “One after - California School of Theology at address was inadvertently left in the noon I was tending the flock in the East, at Claremont, Harter transferred to the former District listing. That account has been Champaign, and the next morning I was Central Illinois Conference and began an closed for several months. looking at the burning fire of the Cracker 18-year pastorate as an associate minister Please update this information in your Terry P. Harter Barrel,” Harter explained. “ I heard Bishop at Peoria First UMC. In 1996, Harter was staff directory where the District offices By Paul Black Palmer call my name, ‘Terry, Terry. I have appointed pastor of Champaign First are listed. SPRINGFIELD – Bishop Gregory V. seen the people, pastors, and congregations UMC. Palmer has announced the appointment of of the Sangamon, and I will lead them....So Harter and the former Martha J. O’Dell Rev. Dr. Terry P. Harter as Sangamon now I am sending you.’ are the parent of two grown children, River District Superintendent, effective “Of course, I am well aware that I'm not Emily and Edward. July 1. Moses, but I think I have some sense of Harter, who has served the past 14 years what he was thinking and feeling out there The Current (USPS 014-964) is published monthly by the Illinois Great Rivers as pastor of Champaign First UMC, will in Midian. I'm not the one you want. I'm not Conference of the United Methodist Church, 5900 South Second Street, succeed the Rev. Gerald King as confer - sure I can do this, I've read The Book of Springfield, IL 62711. An individual subscription is $10 per year. ence superintendent. King was previously Discipline paragraphs 401 through 435, The opinions expressed in viewpoints are those of the writers and do not neces - appointed as pastor of Springfield Laurel and there are at least 43 priority tasks." sarily reflect the views of The Current , the Illinois Great Rivers Conference, or The UMC. A native of Indiana Harter responded to United Methodist Church. “I look forward to serving my sisters and a call to ministry as a high school student Communications Team leader: Paul E. Black; team members: Catherine Flynn brothers in Christ through the ministry of while at Epworth Forest Camp in Indiana. and Michele Willson. Send materials to P.O. Box 19207, Springfield, IL 62794- the superintendency,” Harter said. “I invite He received his bachelor’s degree from 9207, tel. 217-529-2040, fax 217-529-4155, e-mail [email protected], web your prayers, your counsel and your sup - Wabash College and was a cum laude grad - page: www.igrc.org. Periodical’s postage paid at Peoria, IL, and additional mailing port as we continue the journey of making uate of Boston University School of offices. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to “The Current,” Illinois disciples whom God can use for the trans - Theology. He received his Ph.D. in 1980 Great Rivers Conference, P.O. Box 19207, Springfield, IL 62794-9207. formation of the world.” from Boston University’s Graduate School. April 2010 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current Page 3 Announcements & Events

Grow Your Church Where You Are workshop Native American Ministries Sunday on April 18 The Office of Congregational cost for the workshop is $60 for up to Mich. Development will offer a workshop, Grow three people from a church and $20 for Kalajainen started Cornerstone UMC in Resources to assist your church in Your Church Where You Are, on each additional person (i.e. one person, 1990, and it has grown to more than 1,500 observance of Native American Saturday, April 17, at Savoy UMC. $60 total; three people, $60 total; four attendees in worship. They relocated to a Ministries Sunday on April 18, are now The workshop will help participants people, $80 total) and includes snacks and new campus on November 1, and had available. evaluate the major systems of their a box lunch. more than 2,000 congregants on the first Native American Ministries Sunday church. They will walk away with dozens Contact the Office of Congregational weekend. is one of six general church offerings of of practical new ideas for promoting Development at [email protected] or Nash has been the teaching pastor at The United Methodist Church. growth and reaching their community in a visit the Conference website to download Cornerstone since July 2006. Prior to that, The offering on this Special Sunday new way. The principles taught are the registration form. he served a church in a small community educates Native American seminarians, designed to fit any size congregation and The guest speakers, Brad Kalajainen in rural Michigan that grew from 80 to plants Native American churches and any age church. and Ken Nash are pastors of Cornerstone more than 400 persons in attendance. cultivates Native American outreach to The registration deadline is April 7. The United Methodist Church in Caledonia, seekers like Ray. Call toll-free 1-888-346-3862 to order envelopes and other resources so your

Churches share wisdom of generous giving congregation can participate in this churchwide offering. They will be sent By Barbara Dunlap-Berg “ at no cost to your church! Find more at: My experience is that churches that are involved in mission and www.umcgiving.org/specialsundays . NASHVILLE (UMNS) – Generous o“utreach (have fewer) problems paying apportionments … The giving is not easy in a recession. only method for reviving a church that I have seen actually work is Lay Ministry Training It takes commitment, reaching beyond to get out of the pews and reach out to the community in need. April 23-24 the local congregation, and the faith and — Rev. Richard Van Giesen, Illinois Great Rivers Conference courage to make hard choices. It requires Another round of lay ministry train - emotional, spiritual and financial invest - cent. It is part of their DNA.” ministry is a way of life. ing will be offered in Mt. Vernon, ment. Focusing on stewardship, telling the sto - “My experience is that churches that are Galesburg and Springfield April 23-24. Some of the biggest miracles in The ries, challenging givers to stretch and cel - involved in mission and outreach (have Three different modules will be United Methodist Church happen because ebrating success are vital. fewer) problems paying apportionments,” offered – two of them on Saturday only committed congregations pay their appor - “Stewardship is taught well here, and says the Rev. Richard Van Giesen, Illinois and one on a Friday evening/all day tionments in full. One-hundred percent churches believe it is a sign of their devo - Great Rivers Conference treasurer. “If a Saturday format. giving to United Methodism’s seven tion to God to pay their apportionments,” congregation is struggling, I would advise Registration deadline for the April lay apportioned funds paves the way for Johnson adds. “Paying it is non-nego - them to get involved in a Habitat project, a ministry training events is Friday, April African students to pursue higher educa - tiable. When the budget is tight, other soup kitchen, a food pantry or other local 2. To register or learn more about the tion, enriches 11 historically black col - things get cut, but not the apportionments. ministry. training, visit: http://layministry0410. leges, supports our bishops in their min - The leadership has a strong commitment “Churches that get into financial trouble eventbrite.com istry, provides the financial backbone for to this and always has.” have a tendency to withdraw, become General Conference, strengthens coopera - Tell the story “as frequently as possi - ingrown and spend all of their money on Bible Bowl slated for May 2 tion with people of other faiths and nur - ble,” advises the Rev. Carol Goehring, themselves. This is the exact opposite of The Conference Bible Bowl will be tures seminarians in their spiritual jour - connectional ministries executive, North what they should do, and it is a certain pre - held at East Bay Camp again this year ney. Carolina Conference, “to illustrate the scription for death. The only method for on Sunday, May 2, from 2:30 to 5:30 In looking at conferences and churches ministries provided through the apportion - reviving a church that I have seen actually p.m. that meet their financial commitments, a ments.” work is to get out of the pews and reach Scriptures for the 2010 Bowl are: common theme is their belief in mission “Each year,” Wisconsin Conference’s out to the community in need.” Elementary (4th-6th* graders) - beyond their local congregation and communications director Michele Virnig Setting realistic expectations is essential Mark 1:1 - 6:13 regional bodies. says, “our conference leaders ask if (full for congregations striving for 100 percent, Jr. High (6th*-8th graders) - “The ‘for the transformation of the payment) will remain a priority. So far, the notes Bishop John R. Schol, Baltimore- Daniel 1-6 world’ part of the denominational mission answer has always been ‘yes.’ We cannot Washington Conference. “Do not try to Sr. High (9th-12th graders) - is far more than an appendage to the expect congregations to keep faith with achieve 100 percent in one year. Set a goal Revelation 1-12 ‘make disciples of Jesus Christ’ phrase,” the conference in its pursuit of 100-per - each year so that in three to five years, you For more information please contact says the Rev. Arthur McClanahan, Iowa cent apportionments if the annual confer - are paying 100 percent.” John Hauck at [email protected] , Annual (regional) Conference director of ence doesn’t keep faith with its commit - Yellowstone Conference—at 95 percent 309-363-1901, 309-444-3228 or 309- communications. ment to the general church and the world.” payment last year—is doing just that. Two 444-4727. “When people experience the spiritually Saying “thank you” and celebrating are years ago, the conference determined to strengthened, worshipful work that goes also important, adds Carolyn Stephens, pay general and jurisdictional apportion - on in the smallest hamlets, our suburban Central Texas Conference communica - ments at 90 percent and incrementally UM Day at ballpark communities and our inner cities, the tions director. “We celebrate even small increase giving by 5 percent until they slated for May 22 opportunity for connectional giving is accomplishments because sometimes that reached full payment. They renamed United Methodist Men are sponsoring understood as an extension of ministry. is a major accomplishment at that time for apportionments “Mission Shares” and its annual day at Busch Stadium on When people are involved, they’re invest - that congregation. Beyond the bishop’s hired a half-time mission coordinator. Saturday, May 22, when the Cardinals ed. When there’s emotional investment, commitment to connectional giving, the “We run our conference budget much take on the Los Angeles Angels in inter- there’s spiritual investment—and finan - motivator for a congregation is a pastor like a family would,” treasurer Anita Saas league play. cial investment, too.” who shares his or her excitement about notes, “making the sacrificial choices so I Game time is 1:15 p.m. and tickets ‘Part of their DNA’ what their dollars are doing in the world we can do what is important." range from $15 to $30. The order form “The Peninsula Delaware Conference,” — locally and beyond.” She advises struggling congregations to I can be downloaded from the IGRC web - says Bishop Peggy Johnson, “has a great ‘Get out . . . and reach out’ “make a plan and be ready to keep work - site by visiting http://www.igrc.org/ sense of loyalty to The United Methodist When congregations are outwardly ing to reach your goal, even in the tough United-Methodist-Men.aspx Church. They support our missionaries, focused, generous giving follows natural - times.” Tickets are processed on a first-come, Advance Specials and special offerings as ly, say United Methodists for whom 100- *Dunlap-Berg is internal content editor first-served basis. well as paying apportionments 100 per - percent giving to churchwide mission and for United Methodist Communications. Page 4 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current April 2010 Local Church News

PCutotinmg yopuar lisfes oino hnolad ftoer a cloaverd ionneg as the family’s primary caregiver By Meredith Jackson ly had to give her permission to go.” Decatur Limited Magazine Today, Wence is the “relief caregiver,” as she says, for one of her sisters, who is the Barb Wence is a trained health minister full-time caregiver for their dad. He has for Grace UMC in Decatur. Her desire is to chronic kidney failure and heart disease. meet the needs of parishioners beyond the “Caregiving is a wonderful thing, but walls of the church, particularly those who also very tiring,” said Wence. “The one on are ill, in nursing homes, hospitals or home- duty 24/7 needs a respite now and then.” bound. In her church and as a health minister, “Health ministry is a holistic approach to Wence often sees those in the same situa - the well-being of the individual,” she said. tion. Spouses and adult children sacrifice “We assess their physical, spiritual, emo - years of their lives to care for their sick or tional and social needs.” dying loved ones, knowing what must one m o c And, she does her best to meet those day come to pass. Yet for a time, life goes . o t o needs. For example, she might act as a liai - on. h p k c

son between a shut-in and his doctor or Grace United Church member Jane o t s keep in touch with out-of-town family Calmes has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, i members. She visits parishioners in the also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Its gets me through. Faith.” tion at Northern Illinois University and was hospital and follows up with them once cause is unknown, and there is no cure for Equally invaluable are her family’s care in the middle of a summer internship on they have returned home, and she is avail - this very rare disease. It affects the nerve and support. She calls them her rock. Hilton Head Island when her parents visit - able to coordinate any other assistance they cells in the brain and spinal cord that con - “Of course, I worry about them as the ed to share the devastating news in person. might need. trol voluntary muscle movement, leading to disease progresses,” she said. “It’s going to “As soon as I found out the news, there “I love it,” she said. “It’s a wonderful, difficulty with breathing and swallowing be hard on them to watch it. I hate that for was no other choice. I was finished with wonderful, wonderful experience.” and causing muscle weakness in other areas them. But they tell me I’m not a burden.” school. Eventually children end up taking Jan Hager is another church member of the body. Most of the time, those with For 29 years, Mark Calmes has stood by care of family, and this was what I wanted involved with the elderly. She brings home - ALS die within two to five years of diagno - his wife’s side, in health, and now in sick - to do in my heart,” she said. “Putting my made cookies to those who are home- sis. But Jane Calmes does not consider her - ness. He speaks knowledgeably of all the life on hold for a year or two or three-I did - bound and long for company. While her self to be dying. ins and outs of ALS, the progress that has n’t hesitate. I have the rest of my life.” Tuesday visits are strictly social, they are She is, instead, living. been made in fighting the disease and the Nikki Calmes has taken over many of the just as vital to those she sees-and to her. Calmes has already proven that she’s a work that still needs to be done. He wishes daily tasks required to run a household: “It’s so rewarding,” she said. “It’s won - survivor. In 2007, she beat breast cancer. that ALS were better known and better grocery shopping, running errands, clean - derful talking to these elderly people-the During treatment, she thought she was funded. ing the house, cooking meals and more. stories they tell me, the memories they unusually sensitive to the chemotherapy “Part of our responsibility with this dis - She also volunteers with the ALS have. Sometimes they just want you to lis - drugs she was being given. She felt breath - ease is to try to get the word out, because it Association and is training for a half- ten. And from what they have told me, they less and weak, and despite her efforts to is a rare disease,” he said. “It’s not like marathon in April. now feel like someone cares.” work out and regain her strength, she simply heart disease or cancer.”" “I’ve always been addicted to working The work these ladies do is certainly a could not. In the summer of 2009, her doc - Though armed with knowledge and cer - out...and that’s one way I can take out my calling and a gift. Hager had a brain tor sent her to the Mayo Clinic, where she tainly with hope, he does not live in denial stress is on the treadmill or lifting weights. aneurysm in 2003 and was not expected to received her devastating diagnosis: ALS. and is not afraid to speak of the inevitable. This helps give me a positive way to work live. Now she feels that God has given her Calmes says that she is not ready to share “It’s difficult to answer how life has out some of the emotions I am dealing with,” this ministry as her mission in life. In April what legacy she hopes to leave her family. changed; it’s an ongoing learning experi - she said. “Another thing about running this 2009, Wence retired after 31 years in the She simply hasn’t thought that far ahead ence,” he said. “You are instantaneously half marathon is that I actually have the abil - medical profession, and the position as yet. Instead, she lives in the moment. devastated and go through the normal ity to, whereas people with diseases like health minister at her church seemed a per - “I look at my family, friends and neigh - stages of human emotion, but then after ALS wish they could run two steps.” fect fit for her. But as with Hager, Wence’s bors, and I feel the blessings that I have, that, life goes on, and so you have to try to Nikki Calmes says that dealing with her personal experiences give her a deep empa - and I pretty much live in the day,” she said. come to grips with, what do we do now? mom’s ALS has helped her to be more thy for the people to whom she ministers. “Because with ALS, they say that no two And how?” patient. Like her parents, she finds solace in In August 1994, she watched her mother, cases are the same. I don’t know what path What makes is even more difficult to her spiritual walk and that living day to day Betty Weddle, die from complications mine will take, and I can still walk and use wrap one’s brain around a terminal illness is far healthier than dwelling on the future. brought on by uncontrolled diabetes. For my arms and legs. It’s mainly my breathing of a loved one, is that for a time, that person But she is not oblivious to the reality. four years prior, Wence’s father, Tom, that is difficult right now.” seems fairly healthy, Mark explains. Right “I cherish every single second I get to cared for her mother as she battled heart Mostly, Calmes misses the simple things now, his wife is at that point, and it’s diffi - spend with her,” she said. “I don’t know if disease and the devastating effects of a that she can no longer do. She watches her cult for him to predict how his emotions most kids my age would put their lives on stroke, and Tom Weddle chose never to put four children, her new daughter-in-law and will change when her condition changes. hold like I did, or if they would even have his wife in a nursing home. But Betty her daughter Kim’s fiancée prepare meals So, he, too, seizes each day and meets the the resources to do that. But my mom and Weddle eventually wasted away. Wence together in the kitchen, and she wishes she needs of his wife moment by moment, reas - I...now have a special bond that I can’t even considers it a blessing that she was able to could be in the thick of things again. She suring her that she is no burden. put into words, and I will have little day-to- spend the last two weeks of her mother’s speaks with pride and joy of her sons, Andy “We are happy to care for Jane,” he said. day moments to cherish for the rest of my life by her side. and Christopher, who come home for “She’s the one that’s sick and she has to life. “I have a healthy Christian attitude weekend visits from St. Louis; daughter deal with the consequences. We have to “There is a saying that yesterday’s histo - towards death, and for me, it was important Kim, who is earning her master’s degree deal with them too, but not nearly in the ry, tomorrow’s a mystery and today’s a to be there,” she said. “It was a peaceful while planning a wedding; and Nikki, who same way that she will. Anything that I can gift,” she said. “That's why it’s called the thing. It gave me peace, and I truly felt her chose to join her father in caring for her do to keep stress and strain off her to pro - present.” presence leave. I just felt like she was being mother full-time. long her life is what I want to do.” (Reprinted with permission from the Feb. received. It was...painful, yes, but at some Calmes says that she couldn’t get Nikki Calmes is her mother’s other full- 24 issue of Decatur Limited magazine, a point, we have to put that person before our through each day without her faith in God. time caregiver. She had just completed her publication of the Decatur Herald & own pain and allow them to go. We literal - “That’s it,” she said simply. “That’s what bachelor’s degree in hospitality administra - Review newspaper) April 2010 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current Page 5 Local Church News ‘All Because of Jesus’ Local artist and worship leader at Fountain of Life UMC competes to open for national Christian band By Brien Murphy Thurman made it through a round of live Springfield State Journal-Register auditions to get to a field of 45 quarterfi - nalists who sang in Springfield at the The first time Darrin Thurman sang in Jeremy Camp/Natalie Grant concert. Then front an audience, he was just 5 years old, he made it to semifinals with seven other and he and a cousin sang, I Was Raised on singers who performed at a Big Daddy

Loving Jesus. Weave concert in Florissant, Mo. y h p a

Twenty-three years later, Thurman is Now, he’s one of four finalists who are r g o t

still singing about Jesus. And it might just trying to earn the title, and a three-concert o h P

land him a slot singing to thousands of stint touring with Rush of Fools ( Undo, t o o

people at a big-time Christian rock concert. Never Far Away ) in April. m S

y Thurman, of Dawson, is one of four The four finalists made professional l r e finalists in WIBI-FM’s Opening Act talent recordings of their audition songs. The b m i K contest. If enough radio listeners and recordings will be played on WIBI and f o

y online voters like his recording of the song www.wibi.org so listeners can vote. s e t r u

All Because of Jesus , he will get to do sev - At this stage, Opening Act resembles o c

o eral shows with Rush of Fools this spring. American Idol — if a singer gets enough t o h

“I saw the opportunity to get my name votes each of the next three weeks, he or P out there and meet other people and maybe she continues. The elimination rounds con - Darrin Thurman meet some potential pastors where I could tinue until a winner is announced at the started writing songs. market yourself.” go perform at their church with my min - April 10 Rush of Fools show in Alton. The “I was messing around with songwrit - And while he says he’s “playing to istry,” Thurman said last week, just a few winner gets to sing at three more three ing, and wrote my first song, which hap - win,” his primary goal is to sing for more hours after returning home from a record - more Rush of Fools concerts. pened to be Christian-inspired song. I people. ing session. “… It was not necessarily to Thurman grew up near Galesburg thought, ‘Wow, maybe this was what I was “I would love to be able to do it full- win the contest, but to get the opportunity singing around the piano at the home of his meant to do.’” time, but I also know that God has put me to get some exposure and meet other musi - grandmother, the late Geneva Thurman. Thurman works for a Springfield hotel right where I need to be. He’s never let cians. That’d be cool.” The retired music teacher handed down a and as worship leader at a Buffalo church. me win anything until it was in its time. He has the chance to accomplish more love of music to her grandchildren, and He’s using his contacts among his friends Things that were important to me, I might than that. Darrin now owns that piano she played. and colleagues to spread the word about not necessarily get it the first time. He’s WIBI, a Carlinville contemporary Thurman came to central Illinois to the contest. put me in my place a little bit, and makes Christian music station, sponsors Opening study at Millikin University in Decatur, “Social media is my best friend right sure I know I’m right where I need to be.” Act , a talent search where the big prize is to which has a well-regarded music program. now,” he said. “… I’ve learned, you can (Reprinted with permission from the open for an established Christian music He says his career plans included singing be as talented as the next guy, but you March 21 issue of the Springfield State artist. on cruise ships or in Las Vegas — until he truly have to have a fan base. You have to Journal-Register).

New Salem UMC celebrates Scout Sunday Quincy Vermont Street UMC honored its organist Kirby Eber, for his 50 years By Chuck Kurfman round program, it affects character, citi - of service on Sunday, March 7. Pastor, New Salem UMC zenship and personal fitness. However, the A special recognition was held in the success of our Scouting depends on the church’s 9 a.m. worship along with an

New Salem UMC recently observed volunteers, who serve in a variety of lead - e k l afternoon open house. u Scout Sunday with three of its youth, ership roles so that our young people may r G

t During Kirby's tenure at Vermont t members of Cub Scout packs in New benefit from the Scouting ministry. o c

S Street, he has served with nine different

Berlin and Springfield, participating in the Many volunteers give their time so f o

y directing pastors and 14 associate pas - Sunday morning worship service. Scouting’s members will be involved in a s e t

r tors. u

The three scouts were Casey Bixby and quality program. Merit badge counselors o c

o Ben Kelly, both members of Pack 320, and help Scouts learn more about vocations t o h

Aaron Evans, a member of Pack 38. and hobbies. Volunteers see that the Scout P The three Cub Scouts participated by camps have the necessary physical facili - Kirby Eber leading the pledges to the Christian and ties and that all camp activities meet the American flags, serving as acolytes and high health and safety standards of the ushers, greeting people as they came into national organization. church. Volunteers serve behind the scenes on The Boy Scouts of America, in conjunc - committees so that community organiza - tion with United Methodist Churches tions using the Scouting program can find Mission volunteer collapses on work - throughout the nation, recently celebrated the best leadership possible for the youth site in Hawaii Scout Sunday on the second Sunday in related to their organizations. Volunteers, February. This Sunday has been set aside too, provide training for these leaders and A mission volunteer who was leading a completed the mission work before return - to recognize the contributions of young offer a continuing service to every Cub team from Bloomington Wesley UMC ing on Sunday, Feb. 28. people and adults involved with Scouting. Scout pack, Boy Scout troop and collapsed on the worksite in Hawaii Feb. “Doug had a great passion for this par - The Scouting programs in New Berlin, Venturing crew. 23 and died. ticular mission trip, and cared deeply Springfield and communities throughout Many men and women offer their serv - Doug Woodburn was pronounced dead about the work they were doing in Hawaii the area, are more than just an activity for ices to Scouting, but more volunteers are at North Hawaii Community Hospital in this week,” said Rev. Vaughn Hoffman, in our youth to learn about the outdoors. always needed to serve as leaders or share Wiamea, Hawaii, after being taken by a message on the church’s website. “His Scouting provides fun, fellowship and their special skills with young people and ambulance from the church camp where a faithfulness, good spirit and friendship training to our youth as well as youth in other adults. All these people experience a mission team of 15 was working. will be deeply missed by all the Wesley our community. It emphasizes honesty, special sense of achievement through their Woodburn’s wife, Judy, was also on the family and the community at large.” self-reliance and respect. Through a year- work in Scouting. trip and at her request, the mission team Page 6 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current April 2010 Health Care Reform Bishop clarifies church’s role Dear Friends: I have had a number of contacts today especially following the debate on Health Care Reform legislation that took place in the U.S. House of Representatives late Sunday night. The flash point is, of course, the reference to The United Methodist Church in the Speaker of the House’s speech. Neither the Council of Bishops office nor the General Board of Church and Society had prior knowledge of the content of any speeches made on the floor of the House on Sunday night much less Speaker Pelosi’s speech. It will come as no secret to you that the United Methodist Church Bishop Palmer has been involved in this conversation fully based on the work of eight successive General Conferences. The United Methodist Church has affirmed the need for compre - hensive health care reform that extends insurability to those not currently insured. United Methodists have been involved in monitoring Congressional action that culmi - nated with the House votes Sunday night. This included reading the entire 2,700 pages m o c of the bill. While not engaging in the partisan debate that preceded the vote, leaders con - . o t o tinued to contact House members, informing them of the church’s stance consistent with h p k c

General Conference action. o t s As you deepen your understanding of the United Methodist Church’s views on health i care I refer you to paragraph 162V in the 2008 Book of Discipline (pp.117-118, see the entire paragraph in related article on this page). Pelosi hails church agency on health reform Second, the 2008 General Conference approved Resolution 3201 entitled Health Care for All in the United States, which is located elsewhere on this page. Yours in making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, United Methodists, like most ¦ Gregory Vaughn Palmer Americans, have taken dif - Resident Bishop ferent positions on the basic Paragraph 162.V Right to Health Care legislation approved by the “Health is a condition of physical, men - injured.” As a result all suffer. Like police House. tal, social, and spiritual well-being. John and fire protection, health care is best 10:10b says “I came that they may have funded through the government’s ability insurance reforms and making health life, and have it abundantly.” Stewardship to tax each person equitably and directly insurance affordable for the uninsured,” said Rep. Mike Ross, a United Methodist of health is the responsibility of each per - fund the provider entities. Countries fac - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi son to whom health has been entrusted. ing a public health crisis such as from Arizona who opposed the legisla - Creating the personal, environmental, and HIV/AIDS must have access to generic By Kathy Gilbert tion. “On the other hand, many parts of social conditions in which health can medicines and to patented medicines. We this bill cause me great concern, like thrive is a joint responsibility—public and affirm the right of men and women to have NASHVILLE (UMNS) – The United telling people they must buy health insur - private. We encourage individuals to pur - access to comprehensive reproductive Methodist Board of Church and Society is ance or be fined, cutting Medicare by sue a healthy lifestyle and affirm the health/family planning information and being hailed by House Speaker Nancy more than a half-trillion dollars, increas - importance of preventive health care, services that will serve as a means to pre - Pelosi for being a key contributor to a ing taxes and forcing businesses to pro - health education, environmental and occu - vent unplanned pregnancies, reduce abor - landmark vote on health care. vide health insurance to their employees.” pational safety, good nutrition, and secure tions, and prevent the spread of In her closing remarks March 21 before The denomination’s chief legislative housing in achieving health. Health care is HIV/AIDS. The right to health care legislators approved legislation to provide body, the quadrennial General a basic human right. includes care for persons with brain dis - medical coverage to uninsured Conference, has taken no stand on the “Providing the care needed to maintain eases, neurological conditions, or physical Americans, Pelosi referred to The United current legislation, but has been a strong health, prevent disease, and restore health disabilities, who must be afforded the Methodist Church as one of many organi - advocate for universal health care. after injury or illness is a responsibility same access to health care as all other per - zations “sending a clear message to mem - The United Methodist Church in its law each person owes others and government sons in our communities. It is unjust to bers of Congress: Say yes to health care book states: “We believe it is a govern - owes to all, a responsibility government construct or perpetuate barriers to physical reform.” mental responsibility to provide all citi - ignores at its peril. In Ezekiel 34:4a, God or mental wholeness or full participation More specifically, the United Methodist zens with health care.” points out the failures of the leadership of in community. Board of Church and Society is included The 2008 United Methodist Book of Israel to care for the weak: “You have not “We believe it is a governmental on Pelosi’s Web site listing organizations Resolutions adds: “In the United States strengthened the weak, you have not responsibility to provide all citizens with supporting reform. Bishop Gregory today, however, fulfillment of this duty is healed the sick, you have not bound up the health care.” Palmer, president of the Council of thwarted by simultaneous crises of access, Bishops, along with the social action quality, and cost. The result of these The House vote by United Methodists agency, endorsed a letter to Obama and crises is injustice to the most vulnerable, Voting YES: Vic Snyder (D), Ark.; Colo.; Jeff Miller (R), Fla.; Bill Posey (R), members of Congress before the public increased risk to health care consumers, Doris Matsui (D), Calif.; Laura Richardson Fla.; Bill Young (R), Fla.; Steve Buyer (R), health care summit held on Feb. 25 urging and waste of scarce public and private (D), Calif.; Allen Boyd (D), Fla.; Suzanne Ind.; Lynn Jenkins (R), Kan.; Jerry Moran them “to take heart and move meaningful resources.” Kosmas (D), Fla.; Baron Hill (D), Ind.; (R), Kan.; Ed Whitfield (R), Ky.; Mike health care reform forward.” Signers of the letter urging action on David Loebsack (D), Iowa; Dutch Rogers (R), Mich.; John Kline (R), Minn.; United Methodists, like most health care reform included the Albany Ruppersberger (D), Md.; Mark Schauer Lee Terry (R), Neb.; Steve LaTourette (R), Americans, have taken different positions Area United Methodist Church, New (D), Mich.; Bennie Thompson (D), Miss.; Ohio; Dan Boren (D), Okla.; Tom Cole on the basic legislation approved by the York, Arkansas Methodist Federation for Russ Carnahan (D), Mo.; Emanuel Cleaver (R), Okla.; Phil Roe (R), Tenn.; Joe Barton House. Opponents of the legislation have Social Action, Oregon-Idaho Methodist II (D), Mo.; Betty Sutton (D), Ohio; Bart (R), Texas; John Culberson (R), Texas; cited its cost, its expansion of federal Federation for Social Action, Peninsula- Gordon (D), Tenn.; Lloyd Doggett (D), Chet Edwards (D), Texas; Kay Granger power and concerns that it would reverse Delaware Annual (regional) Conference Texas; Gene Green (D), Texas; Solomon (R), Texas; Ralph Hall (R), Texas; Sam past policy by allowing federal funding of of the United Methodist Church Ortiz (D), Texas; Rick Larsen (D), Wash. Johnson (R), Texas; Pete Olson (R), Texas; abortions. Advocacy Resource Team and the Voting NO: Marion Berry (D), Ark.; Rick Boucher (D), Va. “There are parts of this bill that are Western North Carolina Conference Mike Ross (D), Ark.; Mike Coffman (R), good, including much-needed health Methodist Federation for Social Action. April 2010 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current Page 7 Health Care Reform Resolution 3201: Health Care for All in the United States I Theological and Historical Statement contribute to keeping many minorities in The United Methodist Church is committed to health care for all in From our earliest days United the poverty cycle, dependent on welfare the United States and therefore advocates for a comprehensive Methodists have believed that providing and other forms of assistance, and impris - health care delivery system that includes access for all, quality care health care to others is an important duty of oned in struggling and dangerous commu - and effective management of costs. Christians. John Wesley found ways to nities. Disparities in access lead to dispari - offer medical services at no cost to the poor ties in treatment. The poor, the aging, constant attack as one of the first places to patient's physician or the specialist a physi - in London. The first Methodist Social women, children, people with disabilities, cut the federal and state budgets, belying cian may recommend. In fact, persons with Creed (adopted in 1908) urged working and persons of color are most at risk. The the claims of many civil leaders that health little or no medical training often make infant mortality rate in the United States is care is their priority. those decisions. Many insurance compa - conditions to safeguard the health of work - I ers and community. the worst among the “developed” coun - Quality issues put all patients at risk nies hire nurses to review the physicians’ The provision of health care for all with - tries. African-American women die from In the United States, the provision of diagnoses and treatment plans. While it is out regard to status or ability to pay is por - cervical cancer at three times the rate of health care has been transformed from a unusual for nurses to oversee doctors, it is trayed in the parable of the Good Samaritan Caucasian women. African-Americans ministry to a commodity measured in also evident that these nurses have had no (Luke 10:24-35) as the duty of every neigh - have a significantly lower life-span than patient encounters, tests performed, med - contact with the patient under review. bor and thus of every person. In a conver - Caucasians and Hispanics have the least ications dispensed, and beds filled. In the Hospitals are required to provide uncom - sation that began with the question of how access to the health care system of any process, quality of care suffers as the pri - pensated care. As a result, patients who are one might obtain eternal life, Jesus asserted group. Native Amer-icans, besides suffer - mary concern is often cost, not care. The unable to pay for small primary care bills that one must love God and one’s neighbor. ing greatly from alcoholism, have a sub - physician-patient relationship is thereby are able to incur large hospital bills when In response to the next question as to who stantially higher diabetes and tuberculosis compromised. Insurance companies in their their untreated illness has become life- one’s neighbor is, Jesus portrayed a rate than average U.S. rates. Recent immi - efforts to reduce costs seek to control threatening. It has been estimated that the Samaritan, an outsider, who coming upon a grants who experience health problems find physicians’ practice of medicine, thereby cost of uncompensated care included in wounded traveler, provided him with the health care system poorly equipped to interfering with the physician-patient rela - each individual policy is $341, and in each health care. Jesus portrayed the duty to pro - meet their needs. We believe it is uncon - tionship. As a result, medical decisions are family policy is $942. Hospitals can no vide health care as (1) one that is owed scionable and abhorrent that any human often made with primary consideration for longer stay financially sound under existing regardless of the merit or ethnicity of the being should ever be denied access to ade - the costs to the corporation, not for the opti - policies. person in need; (2) one that is owed to the quate health care due to economic, racial, mum health of the patient. In the current Hospital staffing, due to cost concerns, limit of one’s economic capacity – the or class barriers. climate physicians who prescribe treat - imposes burdens on patient care that com - Samaritan told the innkeeper, “Take care of Such barriers, however, are endemic to ments or tests not pre-approved by the promise quality, issues reflected in unhap - him; and when I come back, I will repay our current system of employer-sponsored insurance corporation face severe financial py staff and increased numbers of union you whatever more you spend”, and (3) a health coverage. This system is eroding, penalties or other disincentives to optimum complaints and strikes in recent years. duty that one neglects at the peril of one’s covering a smaller percentage of patient care. Physician time is consumed Error rates due to overwork and other fac - eternal life. In a democracy, our duty to our Americans each year, and rendering with excessive paperwork, malpractice tors are a crisis; the Institute of Medicine neighbor merges with the duties that the American employers less competitive in a suits, and inadequate government pro - estimates that 100,000 persons die in Hebrew scriptures assign to government: world market. When a covered employee grams. American hospitals each year as a result of has a health crisis affecting his or her abili - The American claim-based system pro - medical errors. the prophet Ezekiel denounced the leaders I of ancient Israel whose failure of responsi - ty to work, a whole family’s coverage is duces enormous administrative burdens as Spiraling costs waste scarce ble government included failure to provide jeopardized. Other difficulties with private well as denial of needed care. When claims resources health care: “you have not strengthened the insurance are that in a health care crisis, are not denied by policy, they are often Per capita health care costs in the United weak, you have not healed the sick, you even those with insurance may have denied by the sheer burden of bureaucracy States are more than twice the median level have not bound up the injured, you have not expenses that exceed the lifetime maximum that must be overcome to obtain approvals. for the 30 industrialized nations in the brought back the strayed, you have not under their policy. In some cases, the insur - It has been estimated that today's physician Organization for Economic Cooperation sought the lost, but with force and harsh - ance policy may be cancelled just when it is spends about one-third of his or her time and Development. The Centers for ness you have ruled them.” (Ezekiel 34:4, needed most. Businesses are overwhelmed satisfying these insurance company regula - Medicare and Medicaid Services have esti - NRSV) The United Methodist Church with the cost of health insurance. Persons tions and seeking approvals for treatment, mated that by 2010, health care expendi - therefore affirms in our Social Principles with chronic diseases face special chal - time the physician could be spending with tures in the United States will reach $2.6 (¶162V) health care as a basic human right lenges of inadequate resources both in patients. Competition for premium dollars trillion. and affirms the duty of government to availability of health care professionals and and concern for high profits have taken pri - While some of the escalating costs of assure health care for all. economic support. United Methodist ority over necessary care at actual cost. It is health care can be attributed to advances in In the United States today, however, ful - Conferences increasingly find health care evident that private insurance companies technology and the aging of the population, fillment of this duty is thwarted by simulta - costs consuming dollars intended for min - are prone to deny claims while continuing a very significant part is due to the nature of neous crises of access, quality, and cost. istry. to receive premiums, favoring higher profit America’s health insurance market, in The result of these crises is injustice to the Forcing Americans to rely on a safety-net over the “health and wholeness” of the which: most vulnerable, increased risk to health program like Medicaid is unjust because if weakened, the worried, and the sick. • Today’s physician spends one third or care consumers, and waste of scarce public a health catastrophe should strike, those These same companies want to limit a more of his or her time satisfying insurance and private resources. who have no coverage must deplete all patient’s right to sue in civil court when the requirements and seeking approvals for I Access barriers are an injustice to assets in order to qualify for Medicaid, company breaches its own contract to pro - service. the most vulnerable including selling of a home or surrendering vide benefits, regardless of the suffering or • Multiple insurance companies, pro - In today’s United States, healthcare a lifetime of savings. Even if this family is death a benefit denial may cause. In these grams, coverage, claims processes, create access is disproportionately afforded to the not among those who must declare bank - types of cases a benefit denial is tantamount confusion, duplication, and unnecessary affluent, the employees of government and ruptcy in order to survive, these circum - to medical malpractice. administrative costs. It has been estimated large corporations, the very poor, and many stances contribute to poverty, constant Care Management has often been taken that the cost of administration of Medicare receiving adequate pensions plus Medicare. worry, and despair among many. While over by funding agencies rather than physi - is 4 percent to 5 percent of its budget, while Forty-seven million Americans are unin - Medicaid provides some care to the poor, it cians. Managed care companies, HMOs, the typical private company's budget for sured, largely the self-employed, recently does not encourage primary nor compre - PPOs, and the like, interfere with the physi - administration and profit is about 25 per - unemployed, middle income, and working hensive care and disqualifies applicants cian’s ability to develop comprehensive cent. Health care provision is managed by a poor. Lack of health care access affects with borderline incomes. Persons with treatment plans for his or her patients. They massive bureaucratic complex: more than minorities disparately, and the results of the episodic incomes are denied Medicaid dur - require that a decision be made by the cor - fifty state and state-level Medicaid systems, devastating expense of a long-term or ter - ing the period they have incomes, and poration about treatment cost and efficacy. the Department of Veterans Affairs, the minal illness, inadequate care in general, therefore also receive episodic care. In Medical decisions are in effect made by Railroad Employees insurance program, and the extraordinary cost of insurance all addition, Medicaid systems remain under persons much less qualified than the See Resolution 3201 on page 18 … Page 8 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current April 2010 Forming Spiritual Leaders

Scholarship opportunities Deadline approaches for Lay Witness Mission training event for college students By Ava Williams The Board of Higher Education and Conference Director of Lay Speaking Lay Witness Mission Team Member Training is designed to give Campus Ministry of the Illinois Great Ministries lay persons some help and practical experience for sharing Rivers Conference will award four their witness and testimony regarding what Jesus has done The second of two lay witness mission $1,200 scholarships for the 2010-2011 and continues to do for them. school year. The Scholarships augment training event will be held at Bloomington the mission of our Conference which is Wesley UMC in the Vermilion River to grow disciples for Jesus Christ. District on April 23-24. The event will Hotel and Conference Center with the spe - 1. You will be enabled to give a person - Scholarships will be awarded in $600 begin at 6:15 p.m. Friday evening. On cial rate of $109.00 which is good for the al testimony of your spiritual journey with increments, to be paid in July (fall Saturday, training begins at 8:30 a.m. and night of Friday, April 23. More informa - Jesus Christ. semester) and December (spring semes - will run until 5 p.m. tion on how to reserve a room is available 2. You will be equipped to better lead ter) of each year. Scholarships shall be The cost for the course is as follows: in the registration brochure. small groups. paid directly to the student. • Clergy, laity and lay speakers NOT for If you have questions or want to request 3. In your own congregation you may Scholarships are awards to students credit=$40, which includes LWM binder, a brochure with registration form please find Lay Witness Mission to be a valuable who have demonstrated leadership Saturday lunch, snacks and handouts. contact Ava Williams at tool for spiritual renewal in your church. potential and are active in the campus • Lay Speakers FOR credit as Advanced [email protected] or by phone at 4. You will be personally enriched by ministry where their scholarship will be or Refresher Course=$50, which includes 618-966-3870. Deadline to register for the the training experience itself. awarded. text book, LWM binder, Saturday lunch, event is FIRMLY set for Friday, April 9. 5. As you share on a Lay Witness team Applicants must have approval to snacks and handouts. Participants will be familiarized with the you will receive much, for in giving we apply from a campus minister recognized Lay Speakers registering for the event Lay Witness Mission schedule and content receive. by the Board, Wesley Foundation direc - and for credit toward their Continuing including opportunities to role play leader - 6. As you serve on Lay Witness teams tor or local United Methodist pastor. Education Requirements are reminded that ship of related small group meetings such you may feel led to become a coordinator Scholarship packets are available by this is now a GBOD approved course and as Bible studies and adult Sunday school and lead some of these missions. visiting: www.igrc.org/Downloads/ you no longer need to contact your District classes. They will also be offered some These points apply to all laity, not just Ministries/Higher-Ed/IGRC- Director of Lay Speaking Ministries for suggestions for witnessing and given an lay speakers, however, lay speakers may Leadership-Award.aspx approval, nor do you need to obtain from opportunity to think through and write out find an additional benefit: In addition, From the United them a Continuing Ed Form for this event. their own witness as well as practice shar - 7. Lay Speakers will receive more Methodist Student Day Special For those needing overnight accommo - ing it. opportunities to speak in churches as team Offering, scholarships will be awarded dations a block of rooms has been reserved Why should you consider taking this members on Lay Witness Missions. to students attending a United at the new Bloomington-Normal Marriott training? Methodist-related school, college, uni - versity or theological school recognized Marked Leadership Camp June 13-20 by the University Senate. One or more $500 merit awards will be awarded; the For the last three years, high school stu - The goal of Marked is to raise up a gen - The camp staff also strongly believes number of awards is directly related to dents have been descending upon Living eration of Christian leaders, regardless of that any Christian leader needs to consis - the amount allocated to the IGRC from Springs Camp in Lewistown for a week of their chosen future profession. The world tently practice the spiritual disciplines. the Student Day Special Offering. in depth leadership training known as needs young leaders, be they clergy or Marked is a four-year academy in which Merit Scholarship application packets Marked: Leadership Development Camp. laity, who can lead from a biblical per - each year builds on the previous year. This are available by visiting: www.igrc.org/ Marked was the product of several spective. year was the third year of the camp and Downloads/Ministries/Higher- months of discussion between a few IGRC Marked Camp trains student leaders by students who have been to the previous Ed/IGRC-Merit-Awards.aspx youth leaders and Peggy O’Neal, confer - focusing on four areas of instruction: lead - two years were sent off to Peoria each day Deadlines for both applications are ence coordinator of Camping and Youth ership characteristics, spiritual disciplines, on a service project to put their skills and 4:30 p.m. March 31. Ministries. They noticed that there was a strengths-training and working in a team. strengths to work in a real world setting. lack of leadership at the high school level The camp staff believes these areas are Marked Camp is an excellent opportuni - and very little was being done to train up a vital for developing students into strong ty for students to grow as leaders. Next Scholarship established in new generation of leaders. These discus - leaders. year’s camp will be June 13-20 at Living Melzer’s memory sions, coupled with much prayer, inspired Each year the camp focuses on five Springs Camp. We are always looking for The Jeff Campbell Family has estab - a vision of a one-week camp, part of a characteristics of leadership that are found new students, so if you know anyone who lished the J.A.M. Scholarship – A four-year academy, for high school stu - in the lives of biblical leaders and set them might be a good fit for Marked please Celebration of the Life and Music of dents that would focus on developing the apart from the crowd and marked them as encourage him or her to apply. Justin Andrew Melzer. skills and hearts of leadership students. a leader. A $500 award will be given annually to a qualified recipient. Applicants for Self-care covenant workshop April 16-17 this scholarship must be a member of a United Methodist Church in the Illinois A clergy self-care covenant workshop, During the workshop, participants School of Medicine and Rev. Tom Great Rivers Conference. These persons sponsored by the General Board of will: Mattick, a clergy member of the Desert may either be graduating high school Pensions and Pastoral Care and • Make the connections among spiritu - Southwest Conference of The United seniors, college undergraduates, or stu - Counseling Center, will be held April 16- al, mental, social and physical health Methodist Church will be the workshop dents attending a tech or trade school. A 17 at the Conference Center in • Describe how servant leadership leaders. The workshop format was devel - requirement for award selection is that Springfield. requires self-care oped and tested in the Kansas East and the applicant is an active participant in a There is no cost to the participant. • Experience stress management tech - Kansas West conferences. The General music ministry within their church. However, for those requiring overnight niques and learn how to say “No” Board of Pensions and Health Benefits Deadline to apply is April 1. Award lodging, participants will be on their own • Discuss recommendations for eating, has recently been license as the official will be announced in May. To obtain an to secure motel rooms. Pastoral Care and physical activity, water and sleep distributor of this workshop by the application for this scholarship, you can Counseling will be providing scholarship • Self-assess current health behaviors Kansas United Methodist Health go to the church’s website at monies for lodging through the district and choices Ministry Fund in Hutchinson, Kan. www.trentonfumc.com and click on the superintendents’ offices. Online registra - • Develop a self-care covenant with an Participation is open to all clergy and link to the scholarship. You may also tion is available at: http://self-care - accountability plan. spouses, and staff (both lay and clergy). call the church office at 618-224-7416. covenant.eventbrite.com Judy Johnson from Kansas University April 2010 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current Page 9 Forming Discipleship Systems Worship, hospitality focus of Deeper Still retreat Dots dying to be connected Worship and Hospitality will be the focus of Drinking Deeper and Sharing the Why do young adults so often find God and community in coffee shops rather than churches? Cup, the second retreat in the Deeper Still By Dan Dick Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world series sponsored by the IGRC New requires structure and resources — but it doesn’t require much of what Streams Team. Recent conversations Throughout this two-day event, partic - we have become addicted to in the church: large buildings, expensive with pastoral leaders in ipants will have opportunities to receive my home Conference music programs, paid staffing, more and bigger and better equipment. and extend hospitality in the context of (Wisconsin) about Most young seekers after Christ aren’t interested in those things. worship. Through times of teaching, young adult ministry action, and reflection, as well as inspiring share a common theme: Committee!” I quietly shake my head. and worship with those OUTSIDE the preaching from Bishop Gregory Palmer, Dan Dick there simply isn’t When I speak to young people and tell church. These topics seem to be all we participants will be renewed, equipped, enough interest in the area. them the Conference wants to form a inside care to discuss, which is why people and challenged to deepen their relation - Apparently, young adults don’t want young adult “committee/council/planning outside aren’t that excited about coming ship with God and neighbor. what the churches have to offer. group,” they beg me not to let it happen. inside. Bishop Palmer, Kaskaskia River Except, this morning when I stopped off The fastest way to kill any kind of young Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the District Superintendent Cynthia Jones, for my morning Buzz at Beans ‘n Cream adult focus is to force it into an old struc - transformation of the world requires and members of the New Streams Team coffee shop, I noticed two small groups ture. Young adults want form to follow structure and resources — but it doesn’t will lead teaching sessions during the engaged in some deep Bible study. One function in organize ways — let the pur - require much of what we have become event, providing participants with practi - table hosted two fifty-somethings and five pose and vision define the means of form - addicted to in the church: large buildings, cal tips and tools to take back and use in college students, the second table squeezed ing community and structure. It isn’t rock - expensive music programs, paid staffing, their local church. together nine twenty- and thirty-some - et science … but it also isn’t the way more and bigger and better equipment. Drinking Deeper and Sharing the Cup things. I stopped and asked both groups “we’ve always done it before.” Most young seekers after Christ aren’t will be held Friday and Saturday, April what church they were from and got iden - Another symptom of this disease are the interested in those things. 16-17, at Mt. Vernon West Salem Trinity tical answers: we don’t go to church. number of 40- and 50-year-olds who want Mostly, they want coffee (or tea), a UMC. Final registration deadline is Now the default reaction for most main - to “be involved” in young adult ministry. table, time, and some compassionate, Tuesday, April 6. No registrations will line United Methodists is, why can’t we Young adults are fine with non-young- open people willing to sit with them and be accepted after this date. get these kids to come to church? They adults providing resources and support, but wrestle with the questions and concerns Can’t make the whole retreat? Join us study the Bible — they’re obviously inter - if the older generation is running things, that emerge when they seriously wonder at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 17, for a ested in the Christian faith. It seems like then it really isn’t young adult ministry. It “why” and “what for.” You cannot leave worship celebration featuring the inspir - they are a prime target audience. They is not enough to be in ministry “to” young the church building without falling over ing preaching of Bishop Palmer. want to grow in their faith, we’re the adults, or provide ministry “for” young one of them … but if you wait until they Refreshments will be available follow - church — BINGO! adults, or even to be in ministry “with” come to us, good luck. They’ve already ing the service for those who choose to But therein lies the rub. Church and the young adults. tried the church looking for Jesus, and all stay. This service is open to everyone, Christian faith are not the same thing, and Young adults need to be in ministry to too often discovered he isn’t there. But and no registration is required. much of what those inside the church find and for one another, and beyond themselves we already knew that — Jesus goes where For more information or to register for so valuable, those outside do not. Much of in the world. Many young adults are suspi - the need is, and that — more often than the retreat online, visit http://drinking what church members will tolerate, non- cious of the older generations “welcoming not — is out in the world. deeper.eventbrite.com church members have no patience for. them” into the existing structure. We (over- (Dan Dick is an ordained minister of The Attending worship — the meat-and-pota - 40s) may want them (under-40s) to lead United Methodist Church serving in exten - Bible Study resources toes of modern United Methodism — is of “our” church in the future, but that doesn’t sion ministry as the Director of secondary importance to those seeking seem to be the highest goal and value of Connectional Ministries for the Wisconsin available for download spiritual formation in small groups. young adults. Living well and doing good Annual Conference. A nationally known A six-week Bible Study on the Book of The sad fact is, we DON’T have what a are much higher priorities that believing speaker, teacher, and author of 13 books on Acts, which brings together scripture, the large population is looking for. They want right and being good — normative expecta - spirituality, stewardship, congregational teachings of John Wesley and the Four relationship with God, we offer them rela - tions of the existing church for younger development, research, and spiritual gifts Areas of Focus, was released online tionship with a church (small “c”). seekers. discovery, and an advocate for a more lov - March 1 for IGRC congregations to use Now, don’t get upset. There is nothing In the past 20 years, I have found ing, inclusive church for the 21st century in the 50 days leading up to Pentecost. wrong with church. I spend most of my absolutely no difficulty in striking up con - and beyond, Dan worked for the General The Acts of the Apostles: Hearts Afire days trying to help churches. I think versations about spirituality, God, Jesus Board of Discipleship in Nashville, Tenn. and the Four Areas of Focus is a collab - churches are swell. But I also recognize the Christ, Christian service, faith formation, for 14 years in stewardship, congregational orative effort that has involved a team of gaping chasm between Church — the body and transformation — people are starving and conference planning, leadership devel - writers and resource people across the of Christ incarnate to serve in the world — for such engagement. But during the same opment, and research. Reprinted from United Methodist connection. and church — where we go on Sunday for period I have found it increasingly tricky to Dick’s blog, United Methodeviations, The Bible Study consists of two com - worship and may gather during the week talk about church, religion, membership, http://doroteos2. wordpress.com ) ponents: daily participant readings and for programs, classes, meetings, suppers, weekly group lessons. The delivery via and events. For the segment of our popula - Children’s and youth ministry through a new lens download is an attempt to provide deliv - tion seeking the former, they often are The Christian Educators’ Fellowship ister online, contact Christy ery in an easy to use format. The study completely turned off by the latter. It is will host “Ministry with Children and Blickensderfer at 217-529-2473. Payment could be used by existing Sunday school symptomatic of a church whose “busy - Youth through a New Lens” on Thursday, can be made by credit card online or by classes, small groups, or Bible study ness” displaces the “business” of the April 22, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at check, payable to IGRC and mailed to: groups, or by new groups formed specif - church — i.e., getting members instead of Jacksonville Grace UMC. Christian Educators’ Fellowship, ically for this short-term study. building community. Becky Morris of the Performance Attention: Christy Blickensderfer, P. O. Printed resources and promotional I have a passion and a deep desire to see Development Network will be speaking. Box 19207, Springfield, IL 62794-9207. materials can be downloaded from the strong young adult ministries — but I Cost for the event is $25, which If you have any questions or need addi - IGRC website. Visit www.igrc.org , click understand that they will not conform to a includes luchn. Scholarship assistance is tional information, contact IGRC CEF on Downloads from the right-hand col - traditional vision. Each time I raise the available by contacting Beth Fender at President JoAnn Overholt at Springfield umn, select Ministries from the left-hand need for young adult ministries in my [email protected] or by calling 217-529- Laurel UMC at joverholt@laurel column and then select “Acts Bible Conference, some well-meaning NOT 2611. Registration is available online at: umchurch.org or by calling 217-525- Study.” A direct link can also be found on young adult pipes in with, “We need to http://newlens.eventbrite.com now 1866, or Beth Fender at [email protected] the IGRC Home Page. form a Young Adult Coordinating through April 19. If you are unable to reg - or by calling 217-529-2611. Page 10 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current April 2010 Relationships are first, work second McKendree University Campus reflection on the importance of giving Ministries took 12 students and two adults back to others. to Virginia this year for Spring Break. One student, Adam Schwind summed it The group ranged from students who up best when he wrote: have been on six previous mission trips to “This experience was truly a life-alter - those for whom this was their first experi - ing one, as many of the mission trips were ence. Joining forces with the staff at before it. Unlike many past mission trips I Appalachia Service Project (ASP) and have been on however, the house our team with two other schools (Emory and Saint worked on here in Virginia provided me a Louis University), we were assigned proj - brand new experience. Throughout the ects on two different houses. week, family members were present at all The first project was shingling a roof times while the team worked on the home. and refinishing a deck. The second project It was a constant reminder to me of how included reinforcing the outside walls of a each house that we were working on house, working to remove a bathroom deserved our utmost respect. Our student floor and then dig holes through mud, construction site leader, Jared Winters, clay, and mountain rock to secure footings said it right, “Relationships first, work for the foundation of a floor. In addition, second.” Every time Ben (the son of the we were charged with reframing a door homeowner) came out from his parent’s and window in another room of the house. home he had a big smile and warm heart Our project leader was a junior student, to share his gratitude for what my fellow Jared Winters, who had worked at ASP college-aged disciples of God were doing that previous summer. Through his super - for free. But it really wasn’t free, was it? vision and the work of other students, we We GAVE away our spring break with a Spring Break accomplished goals we had set for our - smile. We SPENT countless hours on a selves throughout the course of the week. roof or digging holes in mud because we The families we worked for were out - had the strength. We were called to per - standing. They welcomed us, and in some form God’s will and we ANSWERED. I’m cases as the families were able, pitched in not trying to make us sound like heroes. With a Mission and worked side by side with our teams to I’m trying to let every person know that remodel their homes. God’s will falls upon each of His children While there, we were able to enjoy a and it is up to us to answer the call. It was Teams of students from public and private universi - wonderful evening of Appalachian culture a great experience to see other college with a local blue grass band providing us groups at the same place we were working ties use their Spring Break to make a difference in peo - a personal concert at the ASP lodge. together. It continues to be a great experi - ple’s lives. Students responded with hard work, a ence to share this event with all of my wonderful attitude and some meaningful brothers and sisters.” Story and photos by Tim Harrison, Sherry Smedshammer, Paige Roberts and Sarah Casey. April 2010 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current Page 11 Kingdom House…a true blessing Where did they go? McKendree University – Virginia to work on Appalachian Service Project During spring break, instead of soaking dealin’ and managed to get almost every SIU- Carbondale – Kingdom House, St. Louis, assisted with playground cleanup up the sun on a beach, there were five kid to buy the most expensive, “coolest” and work in the facility’s food pantry and general maintenance; Brenton, W.Va., to SIU-C Wesley Foundation students and car. He definitely gave them a taste of the work on Appalachian Service Project providing repair and light construction projects six students from the American Baptist pressures of material things in the real Eastern Illinois University – Tuskegee, Ala., working with the Alabama Rural Campus ministries gave up time to work world… Project in Alabama’s “black belt.” Work consisted of repair, rehab and light construc - at Kingdom House in St. Louis. It is a Monday, half of the group sorted and tion work. great ministry that provides a variety of organized food in the food pantry…while Illinois State University – Miami, Fla., as part of 200 students services including day care, thrift stores, the other half worked outside with a com - working on a Habitat for Humanity build. food pantries, etc. (check out the website post pile and garden plots…. kingdomhouse.org if you would like to Tuesday, the House received a massive know more). food delivery of over 70 boxes which had On Saturday, we toured the building, to be sorted and organized. This task kept cleaned the playground, and participated the majority of us busy while a few others in a virtual money store with the kids. in our group worked some maintenance m

Each child was given a pretend checking jobs. o c . o t

account with a sample monthly salary, and Working with a ministry like Kingdom o h p they had to go to different stations paying House was a great experience. There k c o t s for different “real-life” expenses (health couldn’t be a better way to spend Spring i insurance, student loans, housing, etc.). Break than showing God’s love by help - Chris, who had a station for purchasing ing those in need. SIU-C gets outside comfort zones transportation, did some wheelin’ and A group of Southern Illinois University- p.m. and then headed back to the ASP Carbondale students drove nine hous to center where we would clean-up and have Brenton, W.Va., for a week’s work with dinner. A couple of nights the SIU-C team the Appalachian Service Project. went to the neighboring town for Dairy The idea behind ASP is to help families Queen ice cream. One night they went to a in need to repair and rebuild their houses. small restaurant called the Cow Shed Inn The team was assigned to one house for a where we all ordered “wedgie” sandwich - week where we completed various con - es (sandwiches made out of pizza crust struction projects. Every day we would folded in half), while a couple of students have breakfast at 8 a.m. and then head out took on the Big Daddy Pizza. to our work site around 9:30 a.m. Every night our group spent lots of During the week my team rebuilt the quality time together playing Balderdash, kitchen counter and sink, installed new working on puzzles, knitting, playing floors, added insulation and dry wall to a mind-boggling games of 3D Tic Tac Toe, number of walls in the house, added dou - and of course, priceless conversation. ble paned windows to the existing bed - As one student wrote, “The entire trip room while sanding and painting a new was a wonderful and humbling experi - finished bedroom. Because several stu - ence. I love going out into the community dents were not very knowledgeable about to spread the love of Christ to families in construction projects, the trip was a chal - need. I would encourage every person to lenge for them. They learned a lot of new go on some kind of mission experience in information and now know how to hang his/her lifetime because on this trip not drywall, tape seams, and mud and sand a only did I help an extremely nice man and wall as well as hang insulation underneath woman, but I also learned to appreciate the house. the things that I am blessed with on a daily EIU students find common ground Each day the team worked to about 5 basis.” Students from the Wesley Foundation The second team worked for a woman ISU Wesley works on Habitat build at Eastern Illinois University just returned in her late 80’s who recently suffered a from a week long mission trip to stroke. They replaced a broken window in At midnight on Friday, March 5, ISU God's presence was felt and known Tuskegee, Ala. They worked with her bedroom, fixed leaks in the bathroom, Wesley (almost 40 young adults!) kicked whether we were in the vans singing on Alabama Rural Ministry (ARM), a United painted ceilings, and replaced damaged off Spring Break 2010 by piling into 15 our way to the work site, up on the roof, Methodist ministry which focuses on wood siding all around the house. At passenger vans for a 24-hour drive to or lying on the beach. Highlights of the home repair in the “black belt” region of another home they pulled up a floor Miami, Fla. week included a day at the beach and a Alabama. which had been damaged after the roof ISU students joined 200 other young fabulous authentic Greek feast. Not to After a day of discovering the history blew off during severe weather. adults and spent four days working with mention hours of swimming and games of Tuskegee, including visits to the his - After each day of work, the students Habitat For Humanity to build homes for after a long, hard work day. The trip toric Tuskegee Institute and the George met to worship and talk about their day. those who have none. Words cannot ade - would not have been complete without Washington Carver Museum, the eleven The students were asked where they saw quately describe the experience of spend - nightly euchre competitions. students plus their campus minister dedi - God. Their answers ranged from the ing eight hours on a roof in the blistering What is most exciting for our ministry cated five days to serving families in the weather, to the families they worked for, sun building a house for a person you as a whole is that this trip is always a time Tuskegee and Auburn areas. or to each other. The trip made quite an have never met - and having your best when new leaders emerge, and this year The group broke up into two teams and impression. friend on your right and a complete was no exception. We came together for worked on five different projects during “It was great to meet people from a dif - stranger on your left working right along - an evening worship service led by a cur - the week. One team put siding up on a ferent culture then us and even a different side you. rent sophomore who set the town for a home and fixed the front deck. At anoth - race and yet see how much we really have Our group consisted of individuals power and authentic worship experience. er home they finished the painting on a in common,” said Caleb McGregor a jun - from many different backgrounds which Those who were new the ministry began house that had been rehabbed by previous ior from Mt. Carmel. The students allowed for an awesome group dynamic. to find their place and were welcomed work crews. In addition, the team also returned inspired to find more ways they Each person set aside their personal bag - with open and accepting hearts by those helped ARM by organizing their supply can serve in the EIU community and at gage to serve together. It was a rare, hum - already involved. It was an incredible closet. home. bling experience. week of service, laughter and fun. Page 12 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current April 2010 Mission and Outreach — Locally and Globally Haiti training April 10 Chilean pastor appeals for assistance A VIM training event which will pro - It was very early on vide training to teams wanting to go to Saturday, Feb. 27 when Haiti when the time is right will be held Financial support can be made to we received a call from on April 10 at the Conference Center. Chile that awoke us, Chile Emergency Advance # 3021178 Registration cost is $20 per person something that is very which covers lunch and materials. tion to said that there are not people know how. unusual but, it was for a Registration deadline is Wednesday, injured or death to be sorry. However the Financial support can be made to Chile very important reason: March 31. damage in church buildings, parsonages Emergency Advance # 3021178. Chile was facing one of Contact Christy Blickensderfer at 217- Mario Mayer and in what are our members private Gifts can also be made by check to the five human history strongest earth - 529-2473 or by email at cblickensder - homes is huge and we are afraid that in UMCOR and mailed to UMCOR, PO Box quake (8.8 grades Richter’s scale), and [email protected]. several cases will be impossible to keep 9068, New York, NY 10087 or by phone later a tsunami that destroyed several cities using them; especially those located at Call toll-free 800-554-8583. For local beside the sea. William Taylor District, Concepcion church and Annual Conference credit, Dayspring Church hosts From that day until today those people District and South District as well as sev - place your gift in the offering plate on Mother Earth Healing faced 143 aftershocks in between 7.7 and eral other places with important damage Sundays. Please indicate in the memo line Day 5.5 grades. Contrary with what is recom - at Santiago-Metropolitan District. of the check that it is for the Chile mended, I am wishing to be there, I The Native American Fellowship We are still waiting for information from Emergency. remember how important and busy role I Turtle Lodge Community in conjunction several congregations that so far have If you need to have a more clear infor - played after the 1985’s earthquake in help - with the Native American Fellowship being impossible to communicate with.” mation before to feel that this is a good ing The Methodist Church in Chile to Dayspring Church (UMC) hosts Mother I am writing this message after being cause to be involved with, let me share acknowledge, to size and organize how to Earth Healing Day, a special gathering three days in shock, in darkness and watch - with you that so far there are more than 2 rebuild what was lost. on Saturday May 1, from 9 a.m. to 5 ing the valley of destruction and death in millions of damaged people, almost 800 I think that I am the only Chilean person p.m., at the church’s 43-acre property at the land of my dear ones. Now, our Good dead, 500 injured and innumerous missing. serving at the IGRC and I know that in our 201 N. Norwood Place in East Peoria Lord Jesus is giving me strength to stand I am serving at Newton Grace UMC at actual world culture everyone is perma - (adjacent to East Side Center). and to talk to the people of God that is my the Embarras River District, happy to see nently busy and unfortunately, many times Admission is free. Church’s family and to ask them to com - my parishioners immediate support to tired to be working in Church, helping dif - Every year Mother Earth is prayed for, mit with those who are in deeply need. answer to the many needs in Chile; I will ferent causes and attending a lot of meet - in the traditions of members’ respective Chile has been developing economically become an USA citizen hopefully next ings but I want to ask for your attention. I tribes. This year the public is invited to a in a very good standard helping poor peo - year but, still Chilean blood is running on received this morning the Chilean Bishop rare opportunity to observe traditional ple to grow and it was amazing to see the my veins and I am proud of that and I do Rev Mario Martinez’s email containing ceremonies and traditions that come from integral progress after the military coup. not feel ashamed to ask for your help, after preliminary information after counting the members’ tribal backgrounds. Native But now I can say that in many places after all, whether people in Chile or Americans, damage in what is the internal church’s American people will tell their story in an this natural mega earthquake will be a big we do have the same Father and a common family concern. attempt to clear up racism, false stereo - challenge for the whole nation and it mission. The following words are part of Chilean types, and cultural exploitation of Native should be great if we all consider to help in Thanks for taking the time to read this Bishop Rev. Mario Martinez report: Americans. some ways whether through one special S.O.S. and to consider helping. “Only today Monday, after several times This event will be lead by NAF offering or sending a VIM Team to help in May God bless you all. trying to make contact with the congrega - Dayspring Pastor Dan Fire Crow rebuilding. I am making myself personally Rev. Mario S Mayer tions located in the earthquake area, we Lybarger, elected NAF Medicine Chief available and volunteer myself to visit con - Email [email protected] ; cell are able to share with you all a prelimi - Phyllis Singing Bird Ballard, and NAF gregations to provide information for those phone 618-553-7191; office 618-783- nary report. Fortunately we are in condi - Turtle Lodge Community Leader Adam who are willing to help but they do not 3336; website www.newtongumc.com Danner. MMDC celebrates 10th anniversary of operation Many respected Native Americans from around the country will speak and The Midwest Mission Distribution 5:30 PM and a free-will donation will be fast, free internet, and access to the fitness join us in ceremony, including Lionel Center will celebrate its 10th anniversary taken there. There will be a keynote speak - room, indoor heated pool and hot tub. To Little Eagle Pinn (Micmac), a pipe carri - on Saturday, May 1, beginning at 2:30 p.m. er during the meal, and recognition will be reserve a room, call the Baymont at 217- er, author of the book Green Grass Pipe Activities will include making kits in the paid to those who were former Board 529-6655 and mention the block date (May Dancers , and past guardian of Crazy center based upon supply and need. Tours Members and staff who come, and to those 01) and the block name (Midwest Mission Horses’ pipe bag. of the campus will be ongoing during the who will be going off the board at this time. Distribution). The Native American Fellowship drum celebration and a video presentation of the MMDC has reserved a block of 20 rooms You must have a valid credit/debit card and Native American flute players will Center will be shown in the Chapel. at the Baymont Inn & Suites in Springfield to hold a room. 24 hour advance notice share their music. Fry-bread and hand The Twice Giving shop will be open. for $74/night plus applicable tax. There are must be given for any cancellations. The crafted goods will be available. For more Tenth Anniversary totes will be available 10 rooms with double beds, and 10 rooms rooms will be available until April 15. All information call 309-635-1107 or to those on a first come first serve basis for with king-size beds. The rooms are 100 rooms not reserved will be dropped on http://nafdayspring.org/ . a donation to the Center. percent smoke free and equipped with April 15 and the discounted rate will no Dinner will be served at Sugar Creek microwave and fridge. longer be valid. Any rooms reserved after UMC (located next door to the Center) at The room rate includes a free hot break - April 15 will be at their regular rate. UMM support prayer ministry Update on Haiti receiving mission teams The Upper Room and United Methodist Men support a 24-hour 7 day- United Methodist Volunteers in Mission tions of the US Haiti Coordinator and the into Haiti. GBGM, UMCOR, and UMVIM a-week intercessory prayer ministry. and United Methodist officials continue to Haiti Volunteer Management Coordiantor. continue to emphasize that teams must United Methodist Men prayer advo - work on a plan for receiving volunteers in An announcement of those positions will have a trained team leader with Haiti expe - cates presented the center with $11,375 Haiti, following January’s earthquake. be made in the near future. rience. during their March 3-7 meeting. The Paulette West, Executive Director of UMVIM is continuing to receive The framework being currently imple - men annually provide $21,000 to pay for UMVIM, Southeastern Jurisdiction resumes for the Haiti Finance/Hospitality mented will help teams interested in Haiti the phone line. The 30,000 monthly debriefed last week in New York City with Coordinator. Please send resumes to to plan their trips, as well as protect the prayer requests received at the center are the General Board of Global Ministries and Landon Taylor, [email protected] , at fragile infrastructure of Haiti and the sent to 300 covenant prayer groups. the United Methodist Committee on Relief GBGM Mission Volunteers. Once these Methodist Church of Haiti. Therefore, all after her recent trip to Haiti. positions are filled and in place, we will be teams serving in Haiti will need to sched - Resumes were reviewed for the posi - able to begin scheduling the first teams ule through the US Haiti Coordinator. April 2010 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current Page 13 Embracing Communications & Technology

Google: the new Yellow Pages Communications Team earns Why start a digital marketing campaign for your church? All-Star rating Constant Contact, the nation's leading By Eric Seiberling message of love. I email marketing and online survey tool, From a practical perspective...what is has named the IGRC Communications As people are con - the digital appearance of your church? Team an All Star for 2009. sidering marketing Your church is already on-line, but are The honor was given to the team for their church using you going to manage its presence or not. employing sound business practices and social media, a ques - Search engines, yellow pages and even in recognition of regular communica - tion that I often get blog posts exist about your church, right Eric Seiberling tions with the various constituencies asked is “why?” now. If you doubt it, go to Google and type within the IGRC. There are many in the church who still the following: “Your Church UMC” This is the second award given to the don't get on Facebook, see no use for +City. Count the number of hits. Even if team for its e-newsletters. In October, Twitter and rarely check their e-mail. your church is off-line, it will have the United Methodist Association of So why start a digital marketing effort? between 20 and 50 hits. You are already on Communicators, named the electronic Google is the new YellowPages. the web. Shouldn’t you listen to the con - Daily Current , published during the Today, people use the Internet to find your site, references to you on-line, how servation? 2009 annual conference, as the best elec - things they need, research things they are “fresh” the content is, and some of the Let me put it another way. Would you tronic newsletter of 2009. interested in and use it as they would use mechanics of your website. Google judges stop mowing the lawn, tending the flower the YellowPages, 411 or even a map. you based on the key words used on your beds and picking up the litter around your Black to serve on NICC Board People now use the internet as their pri - site, the number of links going in and out, church? Why not? I think there are two mary (and sometimes sole source) of infor - and the type and quality of the sites that answers. One, it isn’t good stewardship. IGRC Director of Communications mation, as well as the primary tool they use reference your website. God calls us to care for what has been put Paul Black has been nominated as a to get to where they want to go. • Hub = Your Website in your hands. Two, it makes for a pretty member of the board for the National My daughter is in 8th grade and she had • Connectors = Links poor perception (read: witness) of your Interfaith Cable Coalition as the denom - this massive project called “Sculptors of • Outposts = Other websites referencing church for the surrounding community. So, inational representative for The United History.” It involves researching a major yours. we trudge out every week to clean up the Methodist Church. figure in history, writing a report and pre - The more outposts and connectors that area outside our facility (including along Black, whose election will be consum - senting it in class. Her’s was on William you have; the more you will come to the the street), change the sign, mow the lawn, mated April 13, succeeds United Shakespeare. Where did she go to research top of the Google search results and that and generally tidy up. While it does not Methodist Communications General William? Google and Wikipedia. When I the results will be focused on things you impact the ministry inside the four walls of Secretary Larry Hollon as the United asked her if she went to the library, she want them to be. the church, we do it because we feel an Methodist Church representative. I asked “WHY?” What would Jesus or the Apostle Paul obligation to do it. Makes sense, right? The NICC is a television program - When we compare the ease of looking do? Now consider your church’s digital ming consortium that now includes something up on-line vs. going to the phys - Scripturally, it fits in with “Go and make appearance. Are you tending to it? Are you approximately 70 Christian, Jewish and ical library, it isn’t hard to imagine why disciples” idea. Jesus and the Apostle Paul putting information on the sign for people Muslim faith groups. In 1988, the group she responded the way she did. to read when they “drive by?” Are you founded the VISN network, which later I used cutting edge marketing techniques to Google Results = First Impression of reach all those who needed to hear the ensuring that Google’s information is merged with the Southern Baptist-spon - Your Church. Good News. Jesus went to the synagogues about your church is correct? Or is there a sored ACTS channel and became the Adam Broitman, an interactive media and then taught the crowds on the hillsides. bunch of digital litter burying your church Odyssey Network. strategist, calls Google a “reputation man - Paul preached where the Philosophers and muting your ability to “go and make Odyssey’s cable property was later agement system.” Many people use would go and debate one another. Paul also disciples”? sold to the Hallmark Channel, and the Google as the sole source to find all things wrote a lot of letters to churches that were (Eric Seiberling is a Technical Account NICC coalition retained until 2007 a on the Internet. Most people do not ran - reproduced to help spread and strengthen Manager for Dassault Systemes, serves on Sunday programming block on Hallmark domly search around on different sites. the Gospel. the denomination’s General Commission for productions by its member faith Instead, they surf about 10 to 12 sites reg - The MESSAGE was always the same, on Communications and is Chair of the groups. Today, NICC is known as ularly and then use Google to answer any but the MEDIUM changed to ensure it was Communications Team for the West Ohio Odyssey Network and serves as a media ad hoc questions. effective at reaching who they were trying Conference. His blog, “flock:ology” production, distribution and promotion So, what does that mean for churches? It to reach. The web provides another MEDI - focuses on ways to grow the church and agency working to place faith-based pro - basically means that your “digital pres - UM to reach out digital world and spread improve its effectiveness. Reprinted with gramming on a variety of cable, internet ence” is determined by what Google thinks the MESSAGE. We are CALLED to use permission, www.flockology.com ) and broadcast channels. of you. Google looks at links to and from all mediums to spread God’s universal Black’s nomination was put forward by the General Commission on UMCom hosts weekly webinars online Communications’ executive board. Tuesdays @ 10am Central is a free 30- keep to the list below. If you would like to id=jcnhj once to sign up for the live Black is currently in his second four- minute Webinar hosted by United suggest a topic for a communications min - Webinar broadcast. You will receive an year term as a member of the General Methodist Communications to share up-to- istry Webinar, send us an email. email confirmation with access information Commission and chairs the New Media date and relevant information, resources • March 30 , Take a look at photo sharing to join the live Webinar broadcast. Use the committee. and tools that will enhance your church's online. This is the fifth of five webinars ded - same access information each week to join communications ministry. While the live icated to "Mastering the Multimedia Maze." us each Tuesday @ 10am Central. The Deadline for pre-Conference broadcast of the Webinars is free, we do ask • April 6 , Learn how to use free online Webinar “room” is limited to the first 100 issue of The Current nears that you register the first time at our online communication with Voice over IP. people who log in each week. registration center. After you register the • April 13 , Discover the convenience of Subscribe to the RSS Feed: Groups interested in promoting or first time, you will automatically receive an online meetings. If you can’t join us for the live broadcast advertising news related to the 2010 invitation and access to subsequent live • April 20, Special guests, TBD. of a Webinar, or you’d like to revisit the Annual Conference are reminded that Webinar broadcasts. At any time, you can • April 27 , Take advantage of free online topic later, you can access each archived these items are to be turned in no later request to discontinue receiving invitations. polls and surveys. Webinar online and/or subscribe to the RSS than Friday, April 2, in order to be includ - Upcoming Webinars: How to Register: feed. Visit: www.umcom.org and select ed in the pre-Conference issue of The Topics and presenters are subject to To register, visit the online registration Training. Current , which will be published April change, but we will make every effort to center at: www.123signup.com/register? 30. Page 14 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current April 2010 National News Groups discuss clergy job guarantees

By Kathy L. Gilbert* The ministry commission has named the major issues they are working on “big NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) –A rocks.” The team is focusing on recruit - United Methodist commission charged ment, discernment and formation for pro - with developing ways to improve clergy fessional ministry; ordination and sacra - effectiveness is considering recommending mental authority; and clergy appointments. the elimination of guaranteed appoint - “We want to concentrate on the big rocks ments. in the jar and not get overloaded with the In a joint meeting with the Committee on sand and small rocks,” Gwinn said. I Faith and Order this week, members of the Deploying clergy Ministry Study Commission raised con - Historically, biblically and theologically, t cerns about the practice of promising some The United Methodist Church has practiced r e b l clergy lifetime jobs. i

itineration, Gearhart said. Having bishops G

. L “We decided that the system of guaran - assign clergy to churches has been a tradi - y h t teed appointments has created mediocrity, tion in United Methodism dating back to a K

y an expectation that clergy will have a job b John Wesley. s o t

no matter how effective they are and that However, clergy need to understand itin - o h p churches will get a pastor even if they are erancy is not something they do in S N

not functioning in a healthy way or partici - exchange for a guaranteed appointment to a M pating in living missionally,” said the Rev. church, she said. U Amy Gearhart, an elder in the Missouri “We have heard pastors say, ‘I will give The Rev. Anita Wood, executive with the United Methodist Board of Higher Education Annual (regional) Conference and a com - you the practice of itinerating my family and Ministry, uses a chart to explain the ministry of the baptized. The Ministry Study mission member. and my life and my household if you give Commission and the Committee on Faith and Order met in Nashville, Tenn., March The ministry commission and the me a guaranteed appointment.’” 16 to share and discuss their work. Committee on Faith and Order met and The two are not meant to be used against “The 2004 and 2008 General tion,” said Bishop David Yemba, chair of shared their work March 16 as both prepare each other, she said. Conferences have done strong work in the Faith and Order Committee. “It is good reports for the 2012 General Conference, “Itinerancy is effective and a response to streamlining the process so we are already to hear what is going on in the ministry the top legislative body of the denomina - covenantal obedience to a particular call under way,” he said. “I personally have study group. It’s a starting point, but we tion. from God,” she said. “Itinerancy is not just experienced that the process is extraordi - still have some issues.” The joint meeting was to share and get about moving.” narily difficult to navigate. Even with my Gwinn agreed the task was large. I “push back” on some of the issues both Difficult path to ordination extensive and intimate knowledge, it is still “I invite you to be honorary members of groups are grappling with, said Bishop The Rev. Jay Williams of the New York too difficult.” the ministry study commission,” he said. Alfred Gwinn, chair of the ministry study Annual (regional) Conference said the There needs to be a paradigm shift to a “God is up to something with The United group. church’s fear of not having enough young "culture of call" during the candidacy stage, Methodist Church. If the church is to catch The Committee on Faith and Order was clergy and the assumption of guaranteed he added. “We need to deploy those who a new vision, it will take broad ownership.” given leadership in reflecting on matters of appointments also has resulted in a cumber - are called into ordination quickly.” *Gilbert is a news writer for United I faith, doctrinal teaching, order and disci - some and often lengthy process to entering Shared mission Methodist News Service in Nashville, Tenn. pline in the church. ministry. “This has been a productive conversa - Bishop dismisses complaint against Paup By United Methodist News Service involved does not allow me to share the details.” A Colorado bishop has dismissed a In a telephone interview, Stanovsky on complaint that charged the former top March 18 declined to comment further on executive of the United Methodist Board the specifics of her decision. But she said, of Global Ministries violated his ordina - “The goals the complainants had for this tion vows. process had largely been realized.” Denver Area Bishop Elaine J.W. Paup could not be reached by telephone Stanovsky announced that she has “termi - for comment. He resigned from the epis - nated the complaint process against the copacy in 2008 to become the top staff Rev. Edward W. Paup,” a former bishop executive of the United Methodist Board and a clergy member of The United of Global Ministries. A year later, in Methodist Church’s Rocky Mountain September 2009, he resigned from that Annual (regional) Conference. position, citing health concerns. “Since forwarding the complaints to the He resigned less than two weeks after Counsel for the Church, intervening Stanovsky made public her investigation events have mitigated many of the con - of a complaint that Paup “had violated the cerns raised,” she wrote in a letter dated sacred trust of ordination.” The bishop March 9. “Therefore, after prayerful con - said she issued the Sept. 11 letter sideration, I have decided that it is in the acknowledging the complaint because of S N

M best interests of the church to conclude the mounting rumors. No details of the allega - U f o complaint process rather than proceed tion were revealed. y s e

t toward church trial. At the time, Stanovsky reported that r u o

c “While I understand that some of you Paup was undergoing medical testing for a o t o will have questions about this decision possible benign brain tumor. The latest h P and how I came to make it, my commit - letter had no information regarding his Former Bishop and GBGM General Secretary Edward W. Paup. ment to confidentiality with the parties medical condition. April 2010 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current Page 15 National News Marchers call for immigration reform By John W. Coleman* and then be gone,’” Carcaño told listeners. The Phoenix Area bishop spoke of her WASHINGTON (UMNS) -- “The time father, who came to the United States in for comprehensive immigration reform is the 1940s as a “bracero,” a legal temporary now,” United Methodist Bishop Minerva worker from Mexico, “carrying upon his Carcaño proclaimed before tens of thou - back the enormous responsibility to save sands of marchers gathered in the nation’s his family from hunger and the afflictions capital. of extreme poverty.” After being sent back, The colorful, noisy throng of he later returned and raised his family. marchers—parading March 21 with ban - Carcaño chairs immigration task forces ners and marching bands—filled more of the Council of Bishops and the church’s than three blocks on the National Mall near general program agencies. She called cur - n a

the U.S. Capitol, where members of rent immigration laws and enforcement “a m e l o

Congress were debating and would soon shameful state of affairs for a country that C

n h

pass historic health care reform legislation. prides itself on providing justice for all.” o J

y

Hundreds of United Methodists were The three-hour March for America, pre - b

o t

gathered and scattered throughout the ceded by an interfaith service on the mall, o h P

teeming masses, identified by their shirts, drew immigrants from Latin American, S N

signs and banners. They came via trains, African, Middle Eastern, Asian and M planes, cars and buses, some riding all European countries. While some carried U Immigration Rally - Washington, D.C. Mall, March 21, 2010, Young United Methodists night to be a part of history. Some flags from their home countries, U.S. flags from North Carolina hold sign evoking Jesus' commandment to love one's neighbors. described the march as larger than the last and other signs of American patriotism big one, held here and in other cities in were plentiful. during his first year in office. of the U.S. economy. April 2006 when Congress last debated Reform advocates have tried to broaden Obama appeared in a brief video mes - The chances for any plan to become a but didn’t pass immigration reform legis - their diversity by persuading African- sage viewed on giant screens. He assured bill acted on in Congress this year are lation . American, Asian and other racial-ethnic marchers that he would do "everything in doubtful to many observers, especially in Carcaño was among a diverse proces - groups to join the mostly Latino and white my power" to get a bipartisan bill before light of high employment, the fall congres - sion of speakers—representing advocacy movement. Ben Jealous, head of the pre - Congress this year. sional elections and other legislative prior - organizations, labor unions, religious bod - dominantly black NAACP, was one of sev - "You know as well as I do that this won't ities, including new energy policies and ies and other groups—urging Congress eral speakers calling for more multicultur - be easy, and it won't happen overnight," he financial regulatory reform. But with the and President Barack Obama to move al support. said. "But if we work together across eth - health care reform legislation now com - reform of the nation’s troubled immigra - The Interfaith Immigration Coalition, of nic, state and party lines, we can build a pleted, advocates are pushing for immigra - tion laws to the top of their agenda. which the United Methodist Board of future worthy of our history as a nation of tion reform to be considered next. They called for fair, humane, viable Church and Society is an active member, immigrants and a nation of laws." "We've been patient long enough. We've policies and procedures that would allow has worked with groups to increase reli - Obama has endorsed a general plan for listened quietly. We've asked politely. about 11 million immigrants now in the gious diversity in the campaign. immigration reform presented to him just We've turned the other cheek so many I United States illegally to attain legal status Pressing for change days before the march. It would require times our heads are spinning," U.S. Rep. while continuing to work and live with During the rally, immigrants and non- illegal immigrants to pay back taxes and Luis Gutierrez of Illinois, the leading pro - their families, safe from intimidation, immigrants alike sang, shouted, applauded perform community service in order to ponent in Congress, shouted to marchers. arrest and deportation. speakers and chanted “Si, se puede!” gain legal status. And it would require cit - "It's time to let immigrants come out of the I Diverse coalition (“Yes, we can!”). “Change takes Courage” izens and legal immigrants both to obtain a shadows into the light and for America to “This country says to you, ‘Harvest our read numerous placards, amid other new high-tech Social Security card. Also, embrace them and protect them." fields, build our homes, take care of our reminders to the president of his campaign it would establish a system to bring in tem - *Coleman is a freelance writer based in children, serve our tables, clean up after us promise to push for immigration reform porary workers according to the demands Washington. Dakota flooding eyed By Linda Bloom with the United Methodist Committee on Relief and local faith groups, as well as Remembering their experiences with with the Federal Emergency Management record flooding last year, United Agency and state and city governments. Methodists in North and South Dakota are Training through UMCOR was particu - watching river levels and assessing larly helpful, Ball-Kilbourne said. snowmelt. “UMCOR doesn’t just provide stuff so it The Red River – which crested at 9 feet has to come back time and time again. It A

M above flood level March 21 – has been really does prepare you to prepare others, E F / r kept largely under control in Fargo by who can prepare others. That paid off e g e i dikes, but if major flooding does occur, nicely for us.” R l e

a the church is ready, said the Rev. Debra By March 23, the Red River had h c i Ball-Kilbourne, the bishop’s assistant for dropped slightly in Fargo to 36.02 feet, M y b

disaster response in the United Methodist according to the National Weather o t o

h Dakotas Annual (regional) Conference. Service, and it was expected to continue to p

S “We did a lot of training last year, and recede throughout the week. Flood level is N M

U we’re better prepared as a result of that at 18 feet.

A training,” she explained. Donations to UMCOR can be made to The Red River overflows its banks at Lindenwood Park in Fargo, N.D. Remembering The conference, which handled 400 U.S. Disaster Response and designated for their experiences with record flooding last year, United Methodists in North and long-term flood recovery cases in North UMCOR Advance #901670. For more South Dakota are watching river levels and assessing snowmelt this month. Dakota for 2009, has formed partnerships information, go to www.umcor.org . Page 16 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current April 2010 Global News Women seek empowering role in Haiti recovery By Linda Bloom* Service board of directors, whose mem - bers include Harriett Olson, the Women’s NEW YORK (UMNS) – For 16 years, Division’s top executive. In a March 11 staff of the Lambi Fund have helped rural statement, directors said that women must communities in Haiti work toward self- be actively involved in leadership roles in sufficiency. Haiti, allotted a fair share of resources for Since the Jan. 12 earthquake, the reconstruction and development and humanitarian organization has witnessed receive training and financial support to the effects of reverse migration on those expand the capacity of their organizations. communities as more than a half-million On the ground, the Women’s Division people have streamed out of Port-au- has given $10,000 grants to both the Prince, Haiti’s heavily damaged capital. Lambi Fund and the Movement of The 80-year-old mother of Lambi staff Dominican Women of Haitian Descent for member Pierre St. Cyr, for example, has their earthquake relief efforts. e s o

taken in 39 earthquake survivors. More grants for Haiti assistance will be B u D “Many of the rural towns doubled their approved when the division’s board of e k i

populations overnight,” said Karen directors meets in April, according to M

y b Ashmore, Lambi’s executive director. Betty Gittens, staff executive. Regional o t o

“We’re giving cash grants to 43 grassroots missionaries and staff also are planning h p organizations in the countryside to help fact-finding trips to the Dominican S N M U

their members meet that expanded capaci - Republic and Haiti, she said.

I A ty strain.” Caravan for relief United Methodist Women has given The Movement of Dominican Women Sharlene Jean offers a sample of treated drinking water to a child living in a makeshift financial support to the Lambi Fund and of Haitian Descent, which supports com - camp in Gresier, Haiti. The United Methodist Committee on Relief and partner agen - other groups committed to empowering munity health projects and offers training cies provided water treatment supplies to the camp. women as equal participants and commu - and educational programs for women and • Safety. The Lambi Fund supports a modity,” Barton said. “There’s an enor - nity leaders in the rebuilding of Haiti. children, organized a caravan of 88 relief group that is forming protective areas in mous concern about the rains coming.” The organization also is part of a coali - workers within 36 hours of the earthquake. the tent cities and applying group pressure The Lambi Fund’s long-term goals tion that is circulating principles calling The workers provided medical care and to encourage people to intervene if they include increasing the availability of for the inclusion of women in the earth - other services to survivors in six different witness attempted sexual assaults. organic, locally-grown food and clean quake recovery process, says Carol makeshift camps. “They’re amazing,” Ashmore reported. “A water with expanded sustainable agricul - Barton, an executive with the Women’s The Dominican volunteers also set up a lot of the women were victims of domes - ture, reforestation and water access proj - Division, United Methodist Board of tent city and clinic at a church-run orphan - tic violence and rape and they are support - ects. Other sustainable development proj - Global Ministries. age and school that had collapsed outside ing each other and helping other women.” ects would include pig and goat breeding United Methodists intend to be involved the city of Leogane, caring for the 78 • Shelter. With many people still living and setting up grain and sugar cane mills. “in direct support for efforts to train and orphans who had been left on their own. under blankets strung on ropes, permanent “Imports and food aid is fine in the mobilize grassroots women in some of the The Lambi Fund already had an exten - housing has become a priority, particularly immediate time, but it doesn’t help the refugee camps in Haiti to monitor how aid sive network of projects in Haiti related to as the rainy season approaches Haiti. “We local economy at all,” said Ashmore. is getting to the camps, how it is being dis - sustainable development, community were hearing that women need tents and *Bloom is a United Methodist News tributed and whether women’s needs are microcredit, animal husbandry, the envi - that tents also have become a scarce com - Service news writer based in New York. being taken into account,” she added. ronment and leadership training. At the United Nations, the Huairou “Prior to the earthquake, we had worked Africa University supports Haiti relief Commission, a partner with United on 175 different projects impacting almost Methodist Women, submitted a statement 2 million Haitians,” Ashmore explained. By Andra Stevens* students and staff contributed more than on behalf of the coalition during recent “We have strong grassroots connections in $100. meetings of the U.N. Commission on the the countryside.” MUTARE, Zimbabwe — In a country Since Zimbabwe was in the grip of a Status of Women, noting that because Lambi staff convened regional assem - where hyperinflation snatches the oppor - summer heat wave in February, the stu - women are “disproportionately impacted” blies after the earthquake, asking partici - tunity for many to go to college, students dent ambassadors began selling ice cream by the earthquake, they also are key to pants to prioritize their immediate, mid- at United Methodist-related Africa to raise money, and the chaplaincy took Haiti’s recovery. and long-term needs. University are reaching out to Haiti, more up a special collection for Haiti in the “We expect to see a large and diverse Among the more immediate concerns: than 7,500 miles away. weekly community worship service. A number of Haitian women’s organizations • Sanitation. The influx of population “At Africa University, we are taught to Student Ambassadors Merit Awards event consulted and included in needs and dam - into the countryside has overloaded sanita - care for one another, and we realize we celebrating the diverse gifts of Africa age assessments, and in the design, imple - tion systems, so the Lambi Fund plans to have so much freely given to us at this University students added to the coffers. mentation and monitoring and evaluation build 880 latrines in rural areas. institution,” student Angeline Mafemba The students recently presented a $500 of post-disaster aid programs,” the state - • Income generation. Micro-enterprise said. check, given in memory of the Rev. Sam ment said, adding that financial aid to will help earthquake survivors “develop “It is only natural for us to give to a Dixon and the Rev. Clinton Rabb, to the grassroots women and their organizations their own livelihood so they can start sup - community that has been devastated and United Methodist Board of Global is essential. porting themselves,” Ashmore said. I where the need is so great,” Mafemba Ministries. Dixon and Rabb, two United Legacy of leadership Lambi is helping a group of market said. “We felt we must respond.” Methodist mission leaders, died of injuries The coalition’s declaration is part of an women in Port au Prince replenish their Both students and staff participated in received in the earthquake. effort to get women on both the agenda microcredit fund. fundraising efforts. The students launched “We saw this as a catastrophic situation, and participants’ list at an international • Medical supplies . A lack of basic their campaign Jan. 22—10 days after the and we wanted to show our love,” said donors’ conference set for March 31 at the items, such as refrigerators to hold med - earthquake struck Haiti. Student ambassa - Mvumina Muyenge, a graduate student United Nations. ications, is a problem, Gittens said. dors such as David Cletus of Nigeria from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Recognition of women’s legacy of lead - “There’s still a tremendous amount of spoke directly to their classmates. In the ership already has come from the Board of need, in terms of medical assistance with - Institute of Peace, Leadership and *Stevens is director of information and Global Ministries and the Church World in the camps.” Governance, where Cletus is studying, the public affairs at Africa University. April 2010 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current Page 17 Global News Ivorians celebrate radio station with hope

By TimTanton* soaring French hymns and music that poured out through the open windows and ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire (UMNS) doors. Precious breezes blew back in, cool - –Methodists showed how to throw a party ing those inside. with the daylong celebration of a new radio The choir, decked in maroon robes and station—a celebration so joyful and ener - mortarboards, waved white handkerchiefs getic that it could not be dampened by in vigorous yet graceful movements as downpours outside. they sang, frequently dabbing the moisture “We are happy that God has inspired the that glistened on their faces.

church to build this radio station to serve Edouard Okoue, the project coordinator . e n u

the glory of his name,” Bishop Benjamin who led the development of the station, o r B

Boni declared, standing outside the sta - recognized the dignitaries and overseas c a a s

tion’s brightly polished wooden doors guests and gave glory to Jesus Christ for I

y b March 14. the station. He thanked the church mem - o t o

What is the frequency, and what will be bers who contributed “beyond what they h p

the name of the radio station as a symbol of had to do.” S N M U

the living God? Boni asked, reading from a He commended the station’s director, prepared text. Lydie Acquah, who has led the develop - A The station’s name is The Voice of ment of the staff and programming for the Members of the Jubilee United Methodist Church Choir bring in the baskets of offer - Hope, and its frequency is 101.6 FM, past four months. “Mrs. Acquah, you have ings after a special collection for the new Voice of Hope radio station. Earlier, the replied the Rev. Michel Lobo, administra - worked hard with your team,” Okoue said. congregation sang and danced to the offering baskets at the front of the sanctuary. tive secretary of the United Methodist Côte “We put our confidence in you, and we The March 14 worship service followed the consecration of the station next door. d’Ivoire Conference. The name, he want to surrender you to the Lord.” expressed gratitude for the partnerships that Jesus Christ, and you carry the hopes of all explained, came from the 2008 General Acquah embodied the spirit of the day, created the station, and representatives from United Methodists.” Conference theme, “A Future With Hope.” dancing to the music frequently. She urged the two United Methodist agencies along Taking the podium, Ken Yamada, staff The small crowd repeated the name and people to give to the special collection for with government ministers offered words. executive with the Board of Higher frequency—“La Voix De L’Esperance, FM the station near the end of the service. Hollon spoke on behalf of his agency and Education and Ministry, noted that the 101.6”—three times, concluding with “The baby is born,” she said. “The baby for Bishop Huie—flight problems prevent - weather outside the worship service had “Amen!” needs shoes and garments.” ed the Texas delegates from arriving in changed. As the consecration continued, the Rev. She ticked off specific needs—comput - time. He reminded the congregation of the “It is raining,” he said. “God is joining us Larry Hollon, top executive of United ers, cars, vans, supplies—and the people Apostle Paul’s instructions to the in blessing this radio station.” The congre - Methodist Communications, uncovered a responded, dancing as they placed money Philippians, to “provide people with a gation applauded. large plaque bearing the names of the sta - in the offering baskets at the front of the glimpse of good living and of the living Yamada said he hopes the station will be tion’s key partners: Boni, Bishop Janice sanctuary. A shout of acclamation rang out God” and to carry light into the world. an important educational and communica - Riggle Huie of the denomination’s Texas when a former prime minister, Pascal “What you have undertaken with creat - tions resource for the people of Côte Annual (regional) Conference, Hollon, and N’Guessan Affi, announced he was donat - ing this radio station is a very visionary d’Ivoire. the Rev. Jerome King Del Pino, top execu - ing a car. Joel Ackah, an insurance execu - thing to do,” he said. “It’s a very Methodist “The General Board of Higher Education tive of the United Methodist Board of tive and president of the conference board thing to do, to take the good news into the and Ministry has already begun working Higher Education and Ministry. of investments, offered insurance for the world. It’s a very faithful thing to do, to go with Bishop Boni and Dr. Yed Angoran A four-hour worship service followed building and car. The day before, his broth - into all the world with messages of hope, (advisor to Boni) on establishing a dis - next door at Jubilee United Methodist er, Emmanuel Auguste Ackah, ambassador healing, peace and reconciliation. tance-education center at the United Church, where nearly 1,000 people filled to Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire Conference lay “This is your station,” he said. “It speaks Methodist university in Côte d’Ivoire,” he the sanctuary and overflowed into outside leader, had brought a power generator for through your voice, and it is your voice on said. seating. The choir, a praise band and a the station. behalf of all United Methodist Christians. *Tanton is on staff at United Methodist brass ensemble created a mighty sound of Throughout the service, speakers Through it, you convey the message of Communications.

might not, numerically and/or financially, Church growth benefit the local congregation but it does Continued from page 19 benefit God’s kingdom. “if you don't do x you will die” type of I’m tired of the death talk. We talk, and scare tactic hoping that this will make a talk and talk some more. We complain difference. Yet, like our children, church - that young people are not coming, that es at some point stop responding to scare they do not have the commitment needed. tactics and bluffs. We complain that they are not as reli - Something does have to change. But I gious, understanding, and moral. We am unsure that the something is our wor - spend inordinate amounts of time hear - ship style, our preaching techniques, and ing, studying, pondering, reflecting, on our gatherings. I know in me it is my atti - what will work, all in the comfort of our tude. I cannot fear the career formula. four sacred walls (local or not)! I wonder . n Instead I can only continue to be present when we are going to get out there, to o t n a for all of God’s people, hear their stories, heal, feed, clothe, and bring back to life? T m i remind them of the larger story, and invite When are we going to take a chance on T y b them to claim the story as their own. what God’s Spirit is doing in our commu - o t o Doing these things makes church incar - nities, even if it does not grow our h p

S nate, changing the way that church is church? N

M done in most places today. The focus of (Rev. Huertas is pastor of Squyres U

A the gathering is empowerment for the UMC in Ragley, La. Reprinted with per - Lydie Acquah, director of 101.6 FM in Abidjan, sees the radio station as a means of mission of active/incarnate proclamation mission from the Day 1 blog, combating poverty and empowering people in C'te dÕIvoire. in the world. This way of being church www.day1.org) Page 18 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current April 2010 Health Care Reform Funds going to this purpose are in effect may be made concerning organ transplants, a single payer system. Particular incremen - Resolution diverted from other important ministries. use of extreme measures to prolong life, tal steps that we support include the State I Continued from page 7 The vision of health care for all abortion, sterilization, genetic counseling, Child Health Improvement Program (S- Indian Health Service, federal and state The United Methodist Church is com - institutionalization, and death with dignity. CHIP), which should be extended to employee systems, health care for retired mitted to health care for all in the United We support the medical community in its achieve health care for all children. We do military personnel, Medicare and countless States and therefore advocates for a com - effort to uphold ethical standards and to not support legislation that requires individ - programs of the various private insurance prehensive health care delivery system that promote quality assurance. uals to choose to purchase health insurance companies: HMOs, PPOs, Medicare includes access for all, quality care, and 3. Effective Administration of Care and from multiple insurance companies, Supplemental Plans, etc. These entities effective management of costs. Management and Financing of Costs. The because such bills radically waste resources rarely communicate in similar terms: nei - 1. Access for All. In a just society, all American health care system must incorpo - through duplication of service, burdensome ther to patients, to physicians, or to hospi - people are entitled to basic maintenance rate an equitable and efficient financing administration, marketing costs, and prof - tals, thereby complicating efforts of and health-care services. We reject as con - system drawn from the broadest possible its. They inherently promote “adverse providers and patients to properly file and trary to our understanding of the gospel, the resource base. It must reduce the current selection” in which the sickest people sign receive payments on legitimate claims. notion of differing standards of health care rapid cost inflation through cost-contain - up for the plans with the best benefits. Such • Premium increases are driven by for various segments of the population. The ment measures. It must provide services plans drive up the costs, while healthy requirements to show a profit rather than American Health Care system must serve based on equity, efficiency, and quality, young workers sign up for plans with the rises in actual costs of treatment. High pre - and be sensitive to the diversity of all peo - with payments to providers that are equi - poorest benefits, therefore removing them miums to support the high profit margins of ple in the United States and its territories. table, cost-efficient, and easy to administer from the risk pool. private health insurance companies force Regional planning processes should coordi - and understand. 3. Recognizing that the nation is deeply people to choose between health insurance nate the services rendered by all health-care The System must be sensitive to the divided nationally on the philosophical and sustenance, housing, or other needs of institutions, including those funded by gov - needs of persons working in the various bases for addressing America’s health care a family, making even basic health insur - ernments, to create a more effective system components of the health care system and delivery problems, we support state-level ance too expansive for an average individ - of health services in every area. Priorities gives special attention to providing not only initiatives in which individual states, at ual or family. High co-payments and should be established for the provision of for affirmative action in the recruitment, their own initiative become laboratories for uncovered costs lead to significant impov - health services, such as preventive care, training, and employment of workers, but trying out varying approaches to providing erishment. mental-health services, home care, and also for just compensation for all workers at health care for all. We support in particular • Costs are shifted to the consumer health education. Corrective measures all levels and for retraining and placement efforts at the federal level to support state- through increasing deductibles and co-pay - should be taken where there is maldistribu - of those displaced by changes in the health based efforts through necessary waivers of ments for care. tion or unavailability of hospital beds, inter - care system. federal regulations. I • Ever smaller insurance pools are pro - mediate care and nursing home care, home- Advocacy steps Bringing America’s health care crisis moted, with increasing portions of risk delivered care, neighborhood health cen - Globally, the church has a continuing under control will call upon the efforts of borne by the patient. The culmination of ters, community mental-health centers, and duty to provide, in many parts of the world, every sector of society and demand both this trend is promotion of personal policies, emergency care networks. the ministry of health care that government personal and social responsibility. We with high deductibles and extraordinarily 2. Quality Care Health care should be is unable to provide. In the United States, therefore call upon all United Methodist high premiums of thousands of dollars per comprehensive, including preventive, ther - however, government has the capability to persons and entities to do their part: month, that an average family, much less apeutic, and rehabilitative services. The provide health care for all; doing so will • Individuals. We call upon United the working poor, simply cannot afford. American health care system should pro - extend health care to many who presently Methodist individuals and families to pur - • Annual or lifetime limits are often vide comprehensive and portable benefits have no access, and doing so without the sue a healthy lifestyle, preventing many imposed on policies, whether individual, to everyone; including preventive services, wastefulness of the current system will rep - health problems before they start and group, or institutional, as a means of limit - health promotion, primary and acute care, resent far better stewardship of resources strengthening physical capacity to combat ing the risk of private insurance companies. mental-health care, and extended care. It than at present. The United Methodist problems which do arise. These harsh policies simply pass the risk should promote effective and safe innova - Church supports a three-tiered approach to • Health Care Institutions. We call upon back to individuals at the very time they can tion and research for women and men in health care advocacy: United Methodist affiliated health care insti - least cope with it, leaving the lingering medical techniques, the delivery of health 1. Single Payer. We call for swift passage tutions to adopt, reaffirm, and strengthen worry that with a catastrophic illness or services, and health practices. It should of legislation which will entitle all persons policies supporting care delivery which is injury such limits may be reached, abruptly assess the health impacts of environmental within the borders of the United States to Christ-like, compassionate and wholistic stopping all insurance benefits and leaving and occupational safety, environmental the provision of health care services, the rather than fee driven and compartmental - the policy beneficiary completely unin - pollution, sanitation, physical fitness, and cost of such services to be equally shared ized. We call upon such institutions as a sured. standard-of-living issues such as housing by American taxpayers, and the govern - requirement of their affiliation, to develop • More than half of all personal bankrupt - and nutrition. Professional health-care per - ment to distribute the funds to providers in United Methodist standards of care which cies are now the result of illness. Even indi - sonnel should be recruited and appropriate - a coordinated and comprehensive manner. distinguish them from profit-driven, secular viduals with ostensibly good insurance, let ly educated to meet the health-care needs of This concept, known as “single-payer,” institutions. alone those who are uninsured, find them - all persons. Especially urgent is the need would extend health care to all persons in • Seminaries. We call upon United selves in situations where they must sell for physicians trained in geriatric medicine. the United States. Choice of private doctor Methodist seminaries to develop curricula and/or spend all assets, including homes, Special priorities should be established to and other health care providers would be linking sound biblical theology with clergy financial holdings, lifetime savings secure among the professional group at maintained. Public funds would make pay - self-care and advocacy for universal health accounts, etc., in order to qualify for least proportional representation of women ment, and these funds would be generated care. Medicaid and restore any medical coverage and minorities who are now seriously by individual premiums and payroll tax. • General Agencies. We call upon all at all. under-represented. We encourage develop - Studies have shown that this method can be Agencies, Commissions, and Annual Increased costs of health care inevitably ment of community support systems that achieved with no increase over what is Conferences of the United Methodist impact state and federal resources available permit alternatives to institutional care for already being spent on health care from all Church in the United States to adopt princi - for Medicaid, often leading to reduction in such groups as the aging, the terminally ill sources. It therefore not only accomplishes ples and support policies which are consis - the number of providers willing to partici - and mentally ill, and other persons with the objective, but it best exercises our stew - tent with this resolution. pate, and ultimately to decreased access to special needs. We encourage medical edu - ardship of public resources. We charge the General Board of Church health care for the poor and the physically cation for laypersons that will enable them 2. Incremental Steps toward Single and Society with primary responsibility for or mentally challenged. to effectively evaluate medical care they Payer. We recognize that much of the cost advocating health care for all in the United More and more Annual Conferences and need and are receiving. Religious and other savings of “single payer” flow from the vir - States Congress and for communicating this even congregations are feeling the burden appropriate forms of counseling should be tually total elimination of the health insur - policy to United Methodists in the USA. of providing health care to their clergy and available to all patients and families when ance industry. We cannot wait to overcome ADOPTED 2008, Resolution #108, their lay staff. Small churches, even multi - they are called upon to make difficult med - the current barriers to a single payer plan, 2004 Book of Resolutions ; Resolution ple point parishes, have difficulty paying ical choices, so that responsible decisions, and therefore support all initiatives that #95, 2000 Book of Resolutions for increasing health premiums for clergy. within the context of the Christian faith, move segments of our population closer to See Social Principles, ¶ 162V. April 2010 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current Page 19 Christian Conversation

The difference between Walgreens and the ch urch

By Cynthia Weems kind of way by asking questions. “Have As leaders, the simple-yet-complex act of choosin“ g is at the heart of you seen a doctor?” He had, but to no what we do too. We choose to make ourselves available. We choose to Samuel showed up avail. “Are you taking any medications?” listen. We choose to trust that the source of any solution lies not mere - on a Wednesday No. “Are you experiencing stress?” Not “ evening about the time particularly. “Have your family members ly in our hands but in God’s, and the ways the Lord works in and we were beginning our ever felt relief from their pain?” He shook through individuals and community for healing. fellowship meal, his head. who came to Jesus begging, “If you choose, crises. I am truly grateful one is located on insisting he and I sit at “Pastor, I have never tried church before. you can make me clean.” Jesus, moved nearly every corner in downtown Miami. Cynthia Weems a table by ourselves. In all this time, I have never tried church. with pity, stretched out his hand to touch But the availability of scientific “reme - He told me that he was possessed by a Will you pray for me again? My pain has him and said, “I do choose. Be made dies” to everything from illness to anger demon that had plagued him for much of returned but I remember what it felt like to clean!” (Mark 1:40-41) often leads us further away from the One his life. Some of his family members expe - have it lifted.” Stories of Jesus’ “choosing” underlies the who chooses us. And we find even us lead - rienced the same thing. He made a fist There seemed to be an amazing clash of gamut of our faith. Over and over again ers asking, “Really?” around his ear lobe, indicating the kind of wills at work as Samuel and I sat together. Jesus chooses -- to heal, to cleanse, to listen, It was refreshing to see the hope in excruciating pain it caused. His hope was met with my suspicion. Did to pray, to proclaim. Jesus chooses to be in Samuel’s eyes. “I’ve never tried church.” I But then a smile appeared on his face. he need Jesus or did he need a pharmacy? I relationship in nearly every form that takes. am sure he had already been to Walgreens. “Last week, when I attended your prayer wondered where all my skepticism came As leaders, the simple-yet-complex act As a Christian leader I am called to choose service, the pain stopped. I felt a relief from. Was I tired? I had already spent sig - of choosing is at the heart of what we do to sit with Samuel and pray for his healing from it that I have never felt before.” nificant time that week “fixing” things: an too. We choose to make ourselves avail - while guiding him to scripture and prac - I was speechless (an oddity for me). overdue water bill for one man, a needed able. We choose to listen. We choose to tices of the Christian faith that I believe “Really?” I asked, “Last week? At our prescription for a woman’s sick child, a trust that the source of any solution lies not will bring wholeness to his being. prayer service?” I looked around to see if new I.D. card for a homeless man. I began merely in our hands but in God’s, and the That is what I will choose. anyone was overhearing this conversation. to think of Samuel’s situation as just anoth - ways the Lord works in and through indi - (Cynthia Weems is senior pastor of First My clergy ego told me to take pride. My er one to be fixed by human hands. Or, bet - viduals and community for healing. UMC in Miami, Fla. Reprinted with per - modern mind told me to beware. ter yet, by Walgreens. The modern pharmacy represents the mission from the Call and Response blog I proceeded in a very mainline Protestant In Mark’s gospel we are told of a leper best solution to many of our everyday of Duke Divinity School) No more church growth! Focus of the gathering is the empowerment for the church’s mission, numbers may or may not follow

By Juan Huertas da, my own desires, my own dreams. I would like for this congregation to grow I am one of those also. It would be nice to have more people Abstain from abstaining small church pastors here, maybe that way I will not be alone out there. I laugh every during the week, I could preach to more Editor, The Current : effect they brought about the defeat of the time someone calls people, I might even get to worship in an As we approach the time of Annual motion, though unintentionally, by push - asking for the senior actual sanctuary! Conference, I would like to offer some ing the button to abstain. pastor, I feel com - Then there are the pressures of the judi - free advice to all members, clergy and lay. Here is my suggestion: If you do not feel Juan Huertas pelled to explain to them catory. Reports outlining your growth, how Just say no to abstinence. Relax; I am not strongly enough about an issue to vote yes that I am the pastor, not Sr., just the pas - much increase has there been? In worship, talking about drugs, alcohol or sex. You or no, simply refrain from pushing any tor. I do the same thing when people ask in membership, in giving? How about the can continue to abstain from them. It is button. That is an abstention, but it does about our youth director, Christian educa - formula that keeps me up at night: using the electronic device to vote to not skew the outcome of a close vote. tion person, or secretary. “I’m the pastor,” No Growth = bad pastoral leadership! “abstain” that I am asking you to refrain Another possibility would be to make a I say, and go on to explain that there is no Would it be a bad thing if I do not want from doing. different arrangement on how the votes are one else here but me! more people in church? Since we have stepped up to electronic recorded and totaled in the electronic My congregation is one of those small See, the truth is that there are some voting we have three choices each time we devices. But I do not know whether that is membership congregations out there. I am proven ways to get more people in a place. vote. We can vote yes, no or abstain. The feasible. I certainly would not the comput - not sure what this means exactly, other I remember my days in retailing when we problem with pushing the button to abstain er electronics of how to go about changing than the fact that there are not a lot people would have all sorts of tricks to increase is that it has the very same effect as voting the system. The simple solution is: when it sitting on the pews. On average we might traffic, from lower prices to glitzy win - no. This was shown in the 2009 doubt, don’t. have 60 or so people a week. We gather to dows, we would work hard at making sure Conference when we voted on a motion Jonathan Dixon pray, sing, hear, and gather around table. that more people came. The more people regarding the CMT budget. 369 favored Pastor, Riverton UMC Then there are the other times of gather - that walked through the door the better the motion; 363 opposed; 23 abstained. Sangamon River District ing: funerals, showers, the occasional opportunity we had to make more sales. Because 23 pushed the button to abstain Editor’s note: The vote to which Rev. bible study that 3 or so people attend, and Unfortunately I am not sure that this nec - the motion failed even though it received Dixon refers was to request that the the annual communal festivities. essarily works in the church. more yes than no votes. This is because Equipping and Connecting Team budget Often when the “leaders” gather there is I do want more people to experience the the recorded tally was 755 votes, and 369 being published in the 2009 Conference much talk about growth. They want to gracious love of God. But I know that this is not a majority of 755. It is only about 49 Journal and that the budget be presented have a better church, bigger church, a might not translate into more people in my percent. No motion can pass without a to the 2010 Annual Conference session as church that offers more things for their church. Plus I am not sure that my own majority of votes by our rules. Since votes a legislative item. people, a church that would need a real congregation has good reasons why they to abstain are counted in the vote total, the The ECT budget is available online for sanctuary. Then reality sets in, bills are want more people. Survival seems to be motion was effectively defeated by the download along with the overall confer - talked about, concerns are brought, what the main reasons why more growth is abstentions. ence budget proposed by the Conference ifs become prevalent. Maybe we won’t be wanted. The conversations are about our I do not doubt that the 23 people who Council on Finance and Administration. It able to get there after all. death and demise as a denomination and voted to abstain had good reasons. They will also be a part of the pre-conference I wonder what “get there” means? local church. I’ve been guilty of using the probably felt that they did not have suffi - packet that will be mailed later this month It’s not only them. I have my own agen - See Church growth on page 17 … cient information to say yes or no. Yet in in advance of annual conference. Page 20 Illinois Great Rivers Conference — The Current April 2010 Conference News

CCFA proposes 2011 budget Spending plan is 2.33 percent less than 2010, cuts used to offset direct bill increase By Paul Black for years 2010, 2011 and 2012. The spend - By mutual agreement, the Pastoral Care Episcopal Fund, Interdenominational ing plan calls for using two years of the office agreed to use existing reserve funds Cooperation Fund, Jurisdictional The conference Council on Finance and holiday in 2011 for $1.6 million of savings to operate the ministry in 2011 Conference Fund. Administration approved an $11.5 million that can be reallocated to address the crisis. • $138,550 from Congregational • $50,000 to establish a fund which will budget plan for 2011, which will be for - Another $258,189 will be realized Development. Congregational Develop- be used to host the 2016 Jurisdictional warded to the 2010 Annual Conference ses - through an increase in the CRSP defined ment will be using existing reserves to Conference. The last jurisdictional confer - sion for action. benefit portion which will increase to fund parts of their budget for 2011. ence in Illinois was held in Peoria in 1968. The budget plan provides a plan to fund $7,260 for a full-time pastor – up from the • $78,887 from the Conference The fund will be used to offset expense an additional $2.9 million in payments to current $6,720. Churches served by part- Benevolence budget, which includes incurred by the hosting of the conference. the General Board of Pensions and Health time pastors would be proportional with decreases in support to health and welfare • $1,146 increase for Archives and Benefits due to the downturn in the eco - churches with half-time pastors receiving ministries, specialized ministries, higher History which is paid to MacMurray nomic markets in 2008 and early 2009. The an increase of half the full-time increase. education and campus ministries, and College on contract. $2.9 million in additional payment is over In an effort to hold churches harmless, interdenominational ministries. The remaining $806,800 will be drawn and above the $3.2 million already paid CFA’s budget is $276,813 less than the • $170,425 from the Equipping and from the post-retirement benefit reserve annually for pensions. 2010 budget, so while the direct bill Connecting Team budget, with cuts com - fund, which currently has a $9 million bal - At the same time, CFA members bal - increases for local churches, there will be a ing in camping and retreat ministries, lead - ance but a projected liability of $44 mil - anced the interest of keeping the cost to the corresponding decrease in apportionments. ership development and life cycle min - lion. local churches at or near 2010 levels. Among the budget cuts being recom - istries. To view the budget, along with the In order to address the $2.9 million mended: Increases to the budget include areas in Benevolence and Equipping and shortfall, the conference will take advan - • $100,000 for the SA&E/District which contractual agreements, anticipated Connecting Team line-item budgets, visit tage of a “holiday” being offered by the Mission Fund. This increase was added to expenses or figures supplied by the www.igrc.org, click on Downloads from General Board of Pensions for payments the budget in 2010 as transitional funds to denomination come into play: the right-hand column, Administration on clergy and spouse death and disability assist churches with the move to direct-bill • $55,543 in general church apportion - from the left-hand column and select 2011 insurance. The holiday is possible due to of pension payments. It was never intend - ments, which include World Service, Proposed budget. These items will be a the overfunding of the plan. The General ed to be funded more than one year. Ministerial Education Fund, Africa part of the Pre-Conference workbook sent Board is foregoing billing the conference • $154,000 from Pastoral Care Office. University Fund, Black College Fund, out in April. Passionate worship this live broadcast that will also be archived for playback on demand. A more complete Two more finish at 100% Continued from page 1 schedule will be provided in the May pre- Homer UMC, located in the Iroquois River District and Nokomis UMC, located in ture a concert by Mike Rayson and liturgi - conference issue of The Current. the Embarras River District, have become the latest congregations to pay 100 percent cal dancers from Springfield Grace UMC is The Daily Current of apportionments for 2009. scheduled for Thursday evening. For the second year in a row, The Daily The retirees recognition, which will fea - Current will be produced as an electronic ture video addresses by the Class of 2010 newsletter and emailed at the conclusion of will be combined with a Service of each day to those who subscribe to The Commissioning on Thursday afternoon and Current Week in Review. the Service of Ordination will be held Subscribers to The Current Week in Friday evening. Review need not do anything in order to Each day will begin at 8:30 a.m. each receive The Daily Current. Persons wishing morning with adjournment scheduled for to subscribe to The Daily Current may do 8:30 p.m. Final adjournment is set for noon so by visiting www.igrc.org, click on E- on Saturday. news in the right-hand column and select A new floor plan The Daily Current. Persons with emails that Most noticeable will be that members of are a part of the IGRC database will be sent the annual conference will be sitting in a a note to update their subscriptions where chevron floor plan at rectangular tables as they can check or uncheck the pub lications opposed to the round tables that have been a they wish to receive. First-time subscribers part of annual conference for the past sever - are subscribed to the publications they al years. With the floor plan change, less check when entering their email address. space is needed for the bar of the conference. More information will be included in the The need for less space allowed the floor May issue of The Current . plan to be rotated 90 degrees counter- clockwise, putting the stage along the back Reminders wall of Exhibit Halls B and C, meaning the Continued from page 1 distance from the front to the back will be ing to: P. O. Box 19207, Springfield, IL much shorter. The shorter distance, com - 62794. bined with carpeting in the center aisle and Photos should be either glossy photos pipe and draping around the perimeter suitable for scanning or if providing digital should address some of the difficulty with photos must be of a resolution of at least audio concerns expressed in the past. 300 dpi in order to be used. Web streaming Courtesies: Anyone having a guest at The Communications Ministry Team Annual Conference may contact Annual will be web streaming parts of the annual Conference Secretary Alice Shirley to conference live on the IGRC website, request they be introduced to the enabling persons who are unable to attend Conference by the Courtesy Committee. to join in the festivities. Requests must be submitted in writing to The Communications Team will be Shirley at 3801 7th St., East Moline, IL working with Carmel, Ind.-based 61244, along with basic biographical infor - Omnicentre for Public Media to provide mation about the guest.