JULY 2016 • VOL. 20 NO. 13

JOHN 4:35 INSIDE THIS ISSUE News from the Episcopal Office 1 Events & Announcements 2 AC Coverage 2016 3-16 Opening Worship 3-4 Memorial Service 8 Retirees 9 DCM/Laity/Cabinet Address 10-11 Missions/Legislation/Awards 14-16 Appointments 17-21 Ordination & Commissioning 22 NCJ 2016 24-25

22

The Current (USPS 014-964) is published Send materials to: monthly by the Illinois Great Rivers P.O. Box 19207, Springfield, IL 62794-9207 ON THE Conference of The UMC, 5900 South or tel. 217.529.2040 or fax 217.529.4155 Second Street, Springfield, IL 62711 [email protected], website www.igrc.org An individual subscription is $15 per year. Periodical postage paid at Peoria, IL, and COVER The opinions expressed in viewpoints are additional mailing offices. Photos of the 2016 Annual Conference those of the writers and do not necessarily were taken by Brian Caughlan and Paul POSTMASTER: Please send address reflect the views of The Current, The IGRC, changes to Black. Copies of these and others are or The UMC. available on the IGRC website. The Current, Illinois Great Rivers Communications Team leader: Paul E. Conference, Black Team members: Kim Halusan and P.O. Box 19207, Springfield, IL 62794-9207 Michele Willson

Pulling out all the Stops for 2016 Illinois Great Rivers Conference

Church Organ Network of Effingham, IL, will be providing the Allen Digital Computer Renaissance Organ, featuring sampled pipe voices of the greatest Pipe Organs of the World. Piano Gallery of Peoria, will be providing Yamaha’s newly designed C6XPE series Concert Artist Polished Ebony Grand Piano. Churches, Schools, or Individuals searching for a Church Organ, Grand or Upright Piano, or Clavinova are invited to contact Church Organ Network, 902 S Willow, Effingham, IL 217.342.2207 email [email protected] or Piano Gallery of Peoria, 4640 N Brandywine, Peoria, IL 309.966.0434, PianoGalleryofPeoria.com News From The Episcopal Office 1 THE CURRENT Appointments In consultation with the Cabinet of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference, Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton appoints the following: Joe Tomich to Paris First, Embarras River District, effective July 1. NEWS Sue Trexler to Jacksonville Wesley Chapel, LaMoine River From The Episcopal Office District, effective July 1. Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton Stacy Tomich to Marshall Trinity-Dunlap, ¾ time, Embarras River District, effective July 1. Michael W. Fender to Decatur First, lead pastor, Sangamon River District, effective July 1. David Estep to Greater West Frankfort Parish (Antioch- Central), Cache River District, effective June 1. The parish is now LookingFour years ago, we arrived dead tired. Moving from the Weback laughed. We worked. We debated and hopefully, two churches as West Frankfort First closed effective June 1. capital city of Michigan to the capital city of Illinois was a chal- emerged the better for it. At our last Annual Conference, we lenge. Packing the house, leaving our two daughters behind, didn’t complete our goal of raising $1 million for the Africa Brad Fausnacht to Chaplain, United Methodist Village, saying goodbye to the good folks in Michigan, embracing our University Endowment Fund. We had hoped, worked, prayed Kaskaskia River District, effective May 24. new leadership role in IGRC, moving in the Springfield resi- and begged to make it happen. While the 2016 Annual confer- Linda Harris-Cosby to East St. Louis Trinity, ½ time, dence, etc., left our energy reserves virtually depleted. Once ence was not able to have a corporate celebration acknowledging Mississippi River District, effective July 1. Trinity becomes a again, we obeyed the call trumpeted anew in the theme of the the completion of our goal, IGRC will raise $1 million to educate single-point charge having previously been yoked with Granite 2016 General Conference, “Therefore Go.” eight students annually till Jesus comes. It's when not if. City Niedringhaus. Retired Bishop Charles Wesley Jordan had been “part Our retirement celebration brought delight, joy, fun, hap- instigator” in my last assignment. Four years ago, I informed piness and surprise to IGRC and my family and friends. You Brad Curtis to Lincoln First, Associate Pastor, ¼ time, Bishop Jordan that I was thinking about retiring. With the really blessed us. To put it in a playful way that may get me Sangamon River District, effective July 1. speed of light and profound clarity, the bishop said, “You can’t in maternal trouble, “I was not only pleased, but overjoyed.” Lenny Summar to Hindsboro, ¼ time, Iroquois River District, retire.” His lightning quick response struck a nerve in my (Smile, someone will have to tell you the story). Most impor- effective July 1. spirit. It threw me into an unexpected period of deep discern- tantly, we could not have been sent to a better place from which ment and prayer. Ultimately, I decided that God used Bishop to retire. Larry Bricker to Okaw River Parish, associate pastor, ¾ time, Jordan as a divine instrument. His three little words helped me Will the Keatons leave Illinois Great Rivers Conference effective July 1. decide whether I should retire in 2012 or 2016. You know now “dead tired?” YEP!! But we’ll leave IGRC happy and blessed by Roberta “Bobbi” Blackard to Farmersville, ¼ time, what I discerned. precious memoires that time cannot wash away. Sangamon River District, effective July 1. Had Beverly and I retired in 2012, we would not have been In you, we saw and experienced the goodness of God. Delbert Essen to Webb’s Chapel, less than ¼ time, Cache River around to experience the joy and blessing of mission and min- Our time in Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference can be istry in Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference. Excerpts can’t summed up in three little words. “God Is Good.” District, effective June 1. He previously served Dale and Webb’s do justice to the joy of serving but they’ll have to do: Chapel. Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton • A beautiful and spacious Episcopal Residence Steven Barrow to Three Rivers Parish Associate Pastor • Spacious conference center (Ellsworth, Cropsey, Colfax and Pleasant Grove), ½ time, • A gifted Cabinet, Area and Conference Staff Vermilion River District, effective July 1. • IGRC's focus on Mission in Liberia, San Pedro Sula, the A statement and call Bill Ramsdale to Beason-McLean-Waynesville, Sangamon Philippines, etc. River District, effective July 1. • Our five childcare agencies and hundreds of other places locally, nationally and globally to prayer following Terri C. Haas to Salem Trinity-Iuka, Kaskaskia River District, • The raising of $2.7 million for Imagine No Malaria, effective July 1. oversubscribing our goal Orlando shooting Status change • Tornados in Washington, Coal City and numerous towns in between Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton has asked that the Jon D. Carrell to Belleville St. Matthew: Associate Pastor, • Pilgrimages to the Holy Land with Ordinands and oth- Illinois Great Rivers Conference join him in prayer Mississippi River District, effective July 1. ers for the people of Orlando, Fla. He writes the Paul E. Black, discontinuation of supply appointment, • A 2013 visit to Africa University for her 20th Anniver- following: Sangamon River District, effective June 30. sary celebration Supply or assigned not appointed • Schools of Christian Mission/Mission U “The prayers of Illinois Great Rivers Conference • Meeting hundreds of IGRC folk at local churches, mis- go out to the victims, their families and the city Roger Czaia to Rosedale, 1/4 time, LaMoine River District, sion events, and four Annual Conferences. of Orlando, Florida in the wake of the largest effective July 1. You made our Annual Conferences great times to be together. mass shooting in American history. May God Diane Schulte, certified lay minister, to Bunker Hill, ¼ time, We focused on themes such as the Laity, Native Americans and lead us to beat our swords into ploughshares-to Mississippi River District, effective July 1. Disabilities. We experienced powerful worship services. Men, study war no more- to embrace love not hate.” David Cogdill, certified lay minister, to Pinkstaff-Chauncey- women and children came forward responding to the call of Jesus Landes, ½ time, Kaskaskia River District, effective July 1. He Christ. previously served Chauncey-Landes only. obituaries/Larry-Olson-2/ had dedicated her professional life to helping those Keith Blankenship, certified lay minister to Deer Creek, ¼ Deaths Mary M. Luke, 99, widow of the Rev. Thomas J. with disabilities as well as encouraging others in time, Illinois River District, effective July 1. Retired pastor Larry Arden their walk with God. Olson, 78, died June 12 in Iowa. Luke, died June 11 in Indiana. Eugene Seals to Pleasant Grove (Lancaster) and Adam’s She and Rev. Luke were married in 1993. He had A full obituary may be found at the following Corner, Kaskaskia River District, effective July 1. These are two He served local churches in the website where condolences can be left on a tribute former Central Illinois Conference retired from Springfield First UMC in 1978. separate appointments each less than ¼ time. wall: http://www.sunsetfuneralhome.com/ and in the Illinois Great Rivers Condolences may be sent to a daughter: Elaine Sims, obituaries/obituary-listings?obId=961380#/ Katherine Newman to Bonnie, less than ¼ time, Kaskaskia Conference, retiring from Albion- 613 Crescent Drive, Greencastle, IN 46135 celebrationWall River District, effective July 1. Bethel in 2002. IGRC pastor Jennie Chin, 66, of Eleanor S. Cox, 92, widow of the Rev. J. Henry Cox, Corrections Condolences may be sent to his wife, Phyllis Olson, Champaign, died June 8. died June 3 in Champaign. Matthew Stevens to Prairieview Parish, Associate Pastor, ¾ 618 Cottage Grove Av SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403- Rev. Chin served five years as a 1807. She and her husband served several churches in time, Sangamon River District, effective July 1. local pastor serving the Shining the former Central Illinois Conference, retiring from A full obituary may be found at the website below Light Parish before being placed Kimberly G. Hagedorn to Lebanon First, effective July 1. She Peoria Forrest Hill in 1972. He preceded her in death and messages for the family may be posted there. on incapacity leave in 2010. is an elder in the Texas Annual Conference. in 1992. http://www.murdochfuneralhome.com/ She was an active member of Urbana Quest UMC and DEATHS CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 2 Events & Announcements

CLASSIFIEDS

Sugar Creek Church in Chatham, IL is looking for a part-time Director JULY 2016 JULY of Youth Ministry see a full description here http://www.igrc.org/ classifiedsdetail/4991942

Taylorville First United Methodist Church is offering two half-time employment opportunities, one for a Youth Leader and one for a Contemporary Praise and Worship Leader. Please see the for retreat reservation. Questions can full descriptions here http://www.igrc.org/classifiedsdetail/4925979 be directed to Rev. Nancy Rethford at [email protected]. Oct. 21-22 – Lay Witness Mission Team of this workshop. Contact her at adwil- ery-38-years astronomical phenomenon Member Training, Savoy UMC -- One [email protected] that is expected to occur on that Mon- day at approximately 1:42 p.m. Astrono- of the goals of the IGRC Evangelism Local church events Committee is to "increase the quantity mers have identified Makanda, where and quality of lay witness for Jesus Oct. 20-21 – ReVision Conference, the IGRC's Little Grassy Camp is located, Christ among the churches of our Springfield First UMC. Do you long to as "ground zero" for the lengthiest conference." With this goal in mind, change your church from an inward to duration of total eclipse, making it the the committee has scheduled the third an outward focus? From an institu- most enviable location on the planet to in a series of three workshops to train tional approach to a missional one? observe it. At Makanda the eclipse will people to participate as leaders in a There’s no magic wand for this change, last for 2 minutes, 44 seconds. Lay Witness Mission. This event trains but there are practical steps for pastors United Methodist groups from the laity to share a personal witness of and lay leaders that can move your IGRC will be given first consideration Larry and Jane Kies their faith and also to participate as a congregation from consumers to con- in registration, but must register by Missionary itineration witness in a lay witness mission. A Lay veyors of faith. Sept. 1, 2016 to enjoy that edge, along June 12-22 – United Methodist mis- Witness Mission is a weekend spiritual Oct. 20 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and Oct. with early bird fee advantages. First- sionaries Larry and Jane Kies will be renewal event where laity share testi- 21, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Early registration come is first-served. itinerating through the Illinois Great monies in worship services and small through Sept. 20, $40; after Sept. 20, School groups will be offered the same Rivers Conference. groups. This will allow laity to practice $50. Register online at: http://revision- discount prices as IGRC United Method- sharing their faith in those settings. conference.eventbrite.com The Kies are missionaries serving at ists. Africa University in Zimbabwe. Larry The workshop will be resourced by Dr Keynote speaker Jim Ozier, author Additionally, Little Grassy will offer a lim- Kies is an advisor on the farm and Jane Frank Billman of Aldersgate Renewal of Clip In: Risking Hospitality in Your ited number of free spots for IGRC youth Kies is an English teacher. They will Ministries (ARM).He can be contacted Church, will share practical approaches willing to volunteer to assist in parking, be visiting their supporting churches. via email at fbillman@aldersgatere- to creating a culture of hospitability concessions, and other services. Please Churches wishing to schedule the Kies newal.org. that immediately connect with first- contact LG at 618-457-6030 or by email should contact Carolyn Yockey at 309- The Lay Witness Mission began in 1960. time guest. [email protected] to register interest 452-3936 or by emailing CLPY508@ After years under the GBOD, it is now Roger Ross will lead break-out sessions or obtain more information. aol.com offered by Aldersgate Renewal Minis- based on his book, Meet the Goodpeo- The staff at Little Grassy plans to open The itineration schedule is posted on tries as one of many spiritual weekend ple, that helps church leaders create a the camp to as many people as possible the IGRC website at: http://www.igrc. events. process to lead non-church people into on that day. The camp has already been org/missions-itinerationcalendar More information on the Lay Witness a transforming relationship with Jesus contacted by local organizations about Mission is available here: http://alders- and his Church. use of the camp for groups. Registra- Conference events gaterenewal.org/events/local-church- Other break-out sessions will focus on tion packages are listed below. August 15-17 – College of Christian events/lay-witness-mission what a mindset change could look like The retreat package includes Sunday Life, Embassy Suites, East Peoria. Rev. Frank Billman wrote an article in each ministry area of your church evening dinner and Monday breakfast Mike Slaughter, pastor on the history of the Lay - Children’s Ministry, Youth Ministry, and box lunch with beverage. Box of Ginghamsburg Witness Mission here: http:// Music, Technical Arts, Hospitality, Small lunches for day guests will only be avail- Church in Tipp City, goodnewsmag.org/2010/07/ Groups, and Missions. able by registration. Observation glasses Ohio, will be the the-revival-roots-of-the-lay- will be part of every package purchased. speaker. witness-mission/ Little Grassy Camp Concessions will be available. The two-day retreat, The committee is organizing a plans for rare solar Minors need to be accompanied by an will have four teach- block of local motel rooms for eclipse adult. ing sessions and those who would wish to stay MAKANDA – Plans are already under- one Q & A with Rev. overnight. Lay Witness Mission Slaughter on topic: way at the IGRC's Little Grassy Camp to Rethink Mission. Rev. Online registration will be make a rare solar eclipse event on Aug. Team training available in the near future. 21, 2017 a special occasion. The "Lay Witness Mission Team Mem- Rich Rubietta will be Mike Slaughter the worship leader for The planned cost is $35. The special event will include a night's ber Training" will be held October the event. The workshop will be open to all, but lodging, meals, and viewing glasses, 21-22, Friday evening 6:30-9 pm, and Saturday 8;30 am-5 pm at Savoy UMC, Hotel Registrations can be made with additional work can also qualify as well as worship and reflections on 3002 W. Old Church Road, Champaign, through Hilton.com or call 309-694- for credit as an Advanced Lay Servants eclipses in scripture. IL 61822. Gary Ricketts is our coordina- 0200. Use code CCL to receive the Course. The registration cost for Ad- It is estimated that more than 50,000 tor from the Savoy church. retreat rate. Fliers for the event will be vanced Lay Servant course credit is $20 visitors will be in Jackson County in coming out in May and should be used higher, $55. Ava Williams can answer southern Illinois to view the once-in-ev- questions about the Lay Servant aspect

DEATHS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Shirley Mae Leckrone, 88, widow of the Rev. Bill Leckrone, died May 25 in Alton. Condolences can be sent to a son, Jay Cox at PO Box 1554, Champaign IL 61824. She and her husband served local churches in the former Southern Illinois Retired IGRC pastor Paul G. Sellers, 67, died May 27 in Hendersonville, N.C. Conference, retiring from O’Fallon First in 1991. Rev. Sellers served 35 years as a pastor and conference superintendent. He retired Condolences may be sent to a son, John Leckrone, 3405 McArthur Blvd., Alton, IL in 2006 from O’Fallon First. 62002. Condolences may be sent to his wife, Diane Sellers, 301 Benning Ct., A full obituary may be found at the website below and messages for the family may be posted there. Hendersonville, N.C. 28792-8237. http://www.irwinchapel.com/_mgxroot/page_10780.php?id=1621822 Annual Conference: Coverage 2016 3 THE CURRENT

Annual Conference focuses on The Harvest BY PAUL BLACK PEORIA – The Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference gathered around the theme, The Fields are Ripe for the Harvest June 8-11, 2016 at the Peoria Civic Center. This year’s conference celebrated the 46 years of ministry of Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton, who will be retiring Aug. 31 after 20 years as bishop in the North Central Jurisdiction. IGRC Communications produced five video vignettes entitled, Bishop Keaton: In His Own Words, as he shared about his life and ministry. As part of the theme, conferees were also invited to a new field to harvest, as exhibits and speakers examined the issue of disability awareness and ways in which the church can be made more welcoming. Morning speakers were Dr. Amos Yong of Fuller Theological Seminary, author of Theology and Down Syndrome: Reimagining disability in Late Modernity and The Bible, Disability and the Church: A New Vision of the People of God; and the Rev. H. Russell Ewell, board member of United Methodist Association of off personnel as they await payment from the state. Ministers with Disabilities. A third speaker, Gretchen Sidell, a member of Pekin First UMC, addressed the “This proposal will ensure that the children’s spiritual conference with a voice box, having been stricken with needs are met and not subject to whether the state gets meningococcal meningitis as a teen. Sidell “speaks” as out of its budget mess or not,” said Cunningham CEO she moves and blinks her eyes to read the comments Marlin Livingston, in urging conference members to she had composed. approve the campaign which will run from Jan. 1, 2017 Other special offerings included $5,938 for the 2017 to Dec. 31, 2019. The measure passed 699-40. As part of the celebration of Keaton’s ministry, the Holy Land Pilgrimage for this year’s newly-ordained conference is completing a $1 million Making Dreams The conference also approved the minimum pastors and $7,164 for the Tom Brown Scholarship at Possible Scholarship campaign for Africa University, compensation for full-time pastors be increased by 3 Wiley College, one of the church’s historically Black which has been named the Bishop Jonathan and Mrs. percent in 2017. Pastors in full connection, associate Colleges. Beverly Keaton Endowment funded by the Illinois members and provisional elders will have a salary Three elders and one transitioning deacon to full Great Rivers Conference. With full endowment, eight of $41,616 and full-time local pastors will receive a elder were ordained and one associate member was scholarships will be given to AU students annually into minimum of $38,188. The annual health insurance approved. Eight provisional elders and one provisional perpetuity. allowance that assists pastors in purchasing health deacon were commissioned. The conference also insurance will increase to $13,200 in 2017, up from the Entering conference, gifts and pledges totaled $700,000 celebrated the consecration of Melissa Iutzi Calvillo of current $12,000. and with the assistance of two offerings, which included Dallas City as a deaconess through United Methodist a $100,000 gift and additional pledges to be paid by the The conference also approved the Conference Board of Women. The consecration took place at the 2016 end of the year, the campaign is just $71,000 shy of its Pensions Report that will hold local church contribution General Conference (see related story in the June issue goal. rates for 2017 at their current levels of $5,700 for full- of The Current, p. 25). time pastor, $4,275 for ¾ time pastor; and $2,850 for ½ The Conference overwhelmingly approved a $2.5 A total of 33 pastors with a combined service of 959.75 time pastor. Pastors at ¼ time are not eligible for the million campaign to endow the spiritual life programs years retired. pension program. In addition, the pension rate for pre- of the conference’s five child-serving ministries – The 1982 years of service will increase by 2 percent in 2017 Membership stands at 127,052 in 2015, down 2,535 from Baby Fold, Chaddock, Cunningham Children’s Home, to an annual rate of $747 per service year. 2014. Worship attendance stands at 57,620, down 1,580. Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House and the United Church school attendance stands at 18,121, down 431. Methodist Children’s Home. The conference laity collected $4,943 for the John Kofi Professions or reaffirmations of faith for 2015 is 1,948, up Asmah School in Liberia. The school, located in West The five agencies have had to rely upon benevolent 33. Point section of Monrovia, was built by IGRC laity and giving as the Illinois General Assembly has failed to pass annual offerings have been taken to furnish the building The 2017 annual conference session will be held June a budget since July 2014, causing many agencies to lay since its opening in 2011. 7-10, 2017, at the Peoria Civic Center in Peoria, Ill. 4 Annual Conference: Opening Worship JULY 2016 JULY

The fields are ripe for the harvest BY PAUL BLACK are out there. We just have to go catch them,” he woman and a Jewish man,” Keaton noted. “To added. “Do we really believe that ‘the fields are maintain those boundaries, Jews never traveled PEORIA – Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton ripe for harvest.’” between Judea and Galilee by going through Sa- reminded those gathered at the 2016 Annual Con- Even as the United States shows concern over maria. Custom and culture directed them to cross ference that God uses some of the most unlikely the loss of churches and Christians, Christians are the Jordan in Judea and travel on the other side people to help with the harvest. also diminishing in the Holy Land. Quoting Dr. of the Jordan till they reached Galilee. Then they In the opening worship, Keaton wove a Amnon Ramon, Christians living in the Jewish would re-cross the Jordan into Galilee. Given that tapestry of images based upon the story of the state has decreased by 50 percent since 1946. set of circumstances, I understand how Christian Samaritan woman at the well as the backdrop to “Over two thousand years ago, Christ’s new Jews concluded the fields were not ripe for harvest punctuate the conference’s theme, The Fields Are movement faced the same dilemma we face today,” in Samaria.” Ripe for the Harvest. Keaton noted. “His new movement had little or John Wesley experienced a similar awakening “Society connected the woman at the well no impact on Samaria. Why? At first, no one when he left the high church pulpit and began field with a lot of negative names in the first century made a move to evangelize the Samaritans. We do preaching. “I could scarcely reconcile myself at --half-breed, polytheist, in love with marriage and that all the time. We do not speak to them. We first to this strange way of preaching in the fields, cohabitation, despised, second class citizen and avoid eye contact with them. We do not like their of which he set me an example on Sunday,” Wesley drawer of water,” Keaton said. “Not Jesus. He saw smell, their money, their politics, their theology or wrote. “I had been all my life (till very lately) so te- her as a woman to be valued and respected. They culture. We’re stuck.” nacious of every point relating to decency and or- talked about life and faith. Plus, Jesus expressed Keaton summarized the stuck-ness and how it der that I should have thought the saving of souls his willingness to give her living water. Moved by parallels modern day. almost a sin if it had not been done in a church.” his presence and person, the woman at the well Jews had no dealings with Samaritans. “The Preaching in the field, Wesley’s worship attendance brought a number of people from Sychar to Jesus woman at the well couldn’t believe that our lord jumped dramatically. Audiences of five hundred, because of her personal testimony.” did not know the first law. Intermarriage had been a thousand, fifteen hundred and three thousand Keaton said because of this harvest, numer- forced up them by a host of conquerors; Rome be- flocking to hear him were typical. Field preaching ous scholars and theologians have concluded that ing the latest,” he said. “Neither she nor Jesus had resulted in a dramatic increase in Methodists. the woman at the well was the first evangelist in anything to talk about. Keaton said Christ discerned that his ministry the New Testament. “Best of all, our Lord took a “Other divides separate the people of God was stuck. laywoman, who had five husbands and admitted too. Black lives matter; the role of Methodists in “Like a typical Jew, our Lord learned to cohabitating with another, and gave her a historic the Sand Creek Massacre of Native Americans. travel to and from Jerusalem and Galilee avoiding role in his church,” Keaton added. “One more Who was responsible for 911? There are ongoing Samaria and Samaritans. Yet, something changed time, Christ brought a woman of low estate to a battles between North and South Korea, the U.S when he focused on his mission to preach good high place of prominence in scripture that time and Cuba, theological battles on guns, human news to the poor and deliverance to the cap- cannot wash away.” sexuality, climate change, women preachers, elect- tives. Something changed when our Lord laid out After acknowledging the decline of United ing bishops ad infinitum. Doing the same old his mission and ministry in John 3:16,” he said. Methodism in the United States, Keaton noted thing, we get stuck,” he said. “To talk about how God so loved the world and that the worldwide membership of the church has Jews and Samaritans had theological differ- emphasize that whosoever believeth in him should grown to 12.3 million or a 24 percent increase over ences. “In a bitter squabble over the temple where not perish was to come face to face with the Jonah the past 10 years. Membership numbers are shift- God resides and what books form the Hebrew question - why won’t we go to Samaria? Why am ing globally with growth in Africa and Asia with Bible, no love was lost between Jew and Samari- I avoiding ministry in Samaria? They are a part of decline in the United States and Europe. tan,” Keaton said. “(For us today), we got stuck my mission and ministry. On that significant day “In the past 50 years, Methodists in North on Rule 44 at General Conference. Before it was when Jesus’ journey took him north to Galilee, he America have been losing members,” Keaton said. defeated, nearly three days of rancorous debate ignored what convention had taught him-take the “Causes vary depending on the observer. If one held up work on mountains of legislation. What Transjordan route. Instead, Jesus took the route identifies reasons where opinions seem to be of happened? Responding to a request of the 2012 through Samaria. Jesus was clear. He had to go one mind, here are familiar justifications – no General Conference, the Commission on General through Samaria in order to minister to persons baptisms, no confirmation class, no new members Conference created an alternative to Robert’s Rules not like him.” received by profession of faith and a steady proces- of Order with respect to controversial legislation. “Eugene Peterson’s The Message puts it bluntly. sion of funerals. Another bishop is not making Once the Commission declared Rule 44 could ‘These Samaritan fields are ripe. It’s harvest time,” the right appointments. Another pastor and/or be used to deal with legislation related to human Keaton said. “The neighborhoods around your their family have issues. Still another debate on the sexuality, it was DOA (dead on arrival).” church are ripe. It’s harvest time. Some of people church’s stance on human sexuality has remained a Jews and Samaritans erected barriers and you know at home, at work, at play live in Samaria. hot issue since 1972.” boundaries to minimize the building of relation- It’s harvest time. Change your way of thinking, it’s Keaton said the John 4 text questions our so- ships. “Personal discourse between the two was harvest time.” called dilemmas. “We dutifully articulate the mis- strictly forbidden, especially between a non-Jewish sion of the church driven by the belief that sheep Annual Conference: Speakers 5 Disability, the Church and the Harvest THE CURRENT BY PAUL BLACK PEORIA – Ministry with persons with disabilities and not ministry to or for them represents one of the largest fields the church has not fully harvested. Dr. Amos Yong of Fuller Theological Seminary, set a theological framework for the church’s ministry with persons with disabilities as part of the 2016 Annual Conference emphasis on disability aware- ness. Fuller, who has written two books on the theology and disability became interested in the topic when his younger brother, Mark, was born with Downs Syndrome. “As I began to look at theological materials on dis- ability, there was a dearth in scholarly and theologi- cal reflection,” Yong said. He noted that the church has had a long history of dealing with disability, beginning with a time of charity and paternalism. “With the advent of the In- tion often made around charismatic healing. “God of self-suffering,” he said. “For example, the weaker dustrial Age, people went off to work so community heals but doesn’t always cure,” Yong said. “The and less honorable parts as being indispensable; and villages support networks broke down,” Yong distinction is important because without it, we the unity of the body as constituted by the diversity said. “Institutions took over and what was woven as lead people to a place where we define things and of their members and their gifts; and the foolish- part of our daily lives became fragmented and less categorize people.” ness of God in shaming the world. Could it be that infrequent. By the 1960’s, government took over as Utilizing the Gospel text of Luke 13, Yong notes Paul was the first theologian of intellectual disabil- the primary guardian and with the lack of contact, that the Pharisees are worried about healing on the ity?” the Church adopted the attitude, “There’s just not Sabbath. “There are six other days in which to be Yong suggested that the model for the church that many disabled people in our community.” healed; come back and get healed then,” they say. be one of Disability Belonging – where ministry Yong pointed out that form followed function. “And yet, it is those opposed to Jesus’ healing that is done with persons of disability not “to” them or “When we think about church buildings, we can see truly were the ‘bent over.’” “for” them. It indicated that such a model requires how our churches were designed for persons who Yong suggested that a more holistic way of talking collaboration with organizations that serve people are already there,” he noted. about disability is needed. with disabilities and their families, the that the church can also take on the role of advocate to am- Another theological consideration is the assump- “In I Corinthians 12, Paul challenges certain notions plify the voice of individuals and their families. Churches can become involved in disability outreach If bars are more accessible than altars, Recalling a disability meeting at a church, Ewell said the If theaters are more welcoming than churches, elevator was broken and there was no other entry without climbing stairs. “Some offered to carry us up those stairs but If the producers of PBS are more sophisticated about they were old and steep so we had to meet outside the church.” communication access than our liturgists, Barriers for participation come in a variety of ways: If the managers of department stores know better how to • Architectural appeal to those with disabilities than our church leadership, • Attitudinal – many churches have bad theology If the publishers of popular magazines are more surrounding persons with disabilities; they become knowledgeable about alternative formats than those who pitied or inspirational; stigmas and assumption produce religious materials, then we have failed to meet prevail; and ministry “to” rather than “with” is the Christ's challenge to us all. predominant ministry model • Communications Mary Jane Owens • Environmental BY PAUL BLACK • Financial PEORIA – The Rev. H. Russell Ewell gave a challenge to Ewell advised that churches start with prayer. “Respond the churches of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference in becom- to the Spirit,” he said. “Form a accessibility committee, study ing more aware of people with disabilities – Get Started! the theology of inclusion, complete an accessibility audit and Beginning his presentation, he shared the above selection a member survey with questions like, “More people would by Mary Jane Owens and noted the competition is steep. come if…” “When you consider that about 20 percent of the U.S. If one looks at the whole task, it can be daunting. “Don’t population are persons with disabilities, that is a large audi- try to do everything at once,” Ewell said. “Start with those that ence that many are writing off,” Ewell said. “A larger share of are already a part of your congregation and then move on to persons with disabilities do not participate in weekly worship other issues. Just remember: if we aren’t all at the table, then because the message is they are not invited.” we aren’t living out as the Body of Christ.” 6 Annual Conference: Morning Manna THURSDAY MORNING MANNA JULY 2016 JULY How my Walk with God “Somehow, I was at peace. I don’t know how I wasn’t panicking. I started(Editor’s note: Below is a transcript of the Morning Manna to address delivered byroll Gretchen Sidell of Pekin First remember panicking over much less UMC. Gretchen was stricken meningococcal meningitis as a teen. What attendees heard was a voice box activated by her “speaking” by moving and blinking her eyes as she read her prepared remarks.) stressful situations. This peaceful BY GRETCHEN SIDELL freshman year of high school, my whole feeling had to be an act of God.“ Hello! My name is Gretchen Sidell. I am so hon- life was flipped upside down. I con- ored to be here sharing my story about my relation- tracted meningococcal meningitis. ship with God. Thank you for inviting me. The day of June 13, 1999, started God has been good to me and I want to spread like any other day. I felt good. I talked on the phone, less stressful situations. This peaceful feeling had to his glory. watched TV and visited with family. Then that be an act of God. Numbers 6: 24-26 tells us, “The I was baptized at the First United Methodist afternoon I started getting a headache. This didn’t Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face Church in Pekin. I grew up going to that church on alarm me. I got headaches all the time. I took some to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord Sundays, but not really knowing the Bible. I attended Ibuprofen, but it didn’t even faze my pain. My mom turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Sunday School, but scripture was always a mystery rubbed my head. I laid on the bed with the lights off. I was beginning to slowly learn what had hap- to me. I didn’t know anything about Bible Studies. I tried to distract myself with a phone call to my best pened while I was unconscious. I learned that I was Unfortunately, at that time, I didn’t think I was get- friend. Nothing was helping! The pain as unbearable. in the hospital. I had a drain in my head from where ting anything out of Sunday School and church. I was I didn’t know what to think. I had never heard of they put a hole in my skull to relieve pressure off of meningococcal meningitis. my brain. There were more questions. I had a stroke Defeated, I approached my due to a bacterial infection in my brain, meningo- mom. She asked me if I wanted coccal meningitis. However, I still wasn’t told I was God was slowly changing my life. to go to the emergency room. I paralyzed. would have never guessed what In the beginning, I wasn’t always “all there.” I It wasn’t easy, and it wasn’t always would come next. think God was protecting me with denial. I thought I don’t know how I got pretty soon I’m going to go home and go back to steady. I recognized that God loved through that night or the next my life. Ummmm, no. This was going to be a long me, and he accepted me the way 5 ½ months, but looking back, process. I can see God was with me the Then one day when the Sunday School teacher I was with all of my flaws whole time. Philippians 4:13 says, came to visit, she prayed with me and asked God to “I can do everything through lift the paralysis from my body. I thought, paralysis? and disadvantages. him who gives me strength.” Who said anything about paralysis? Was that why I My memories of the Pekin couldn’t move? Was I really paralyzed? emergency room are hazy, but I After a couple of months in the pediatric ICU remember my Aunt Pat working where I had made lots of new friends with my nurses, there as a nurse that night. Just I learned I would be going to a rehabilitation hospital having her there was comforting. in Chicago, RIC. This was a trial I will never forget. The last thing I remember about Thank God my mom stayed with me. It was kind being at the Pekin ER was being of funny how alone we felt in such a big place. This covered by a warm blanket and experience was not the best seven weeks of my life. falling asleep. There were too many close calls. It was frightening. I was then transferred to the One incident was when my trach (tube) fell out and pediatric intensive care unit at St. I couldn’t breathe! I coded. Everyone came running to Francis Hospital. I was in and out my room. Somehow the respiratory therapist got it back of consciousness. When I would in, but my mom and I were pretty shaken up. open my eyes, there was a nurse After seven weeks, we were begging to go back happy just to help in the nursery. I had always liked who kept telling me to stay with home. Or our temporary home, St. Francis. We spent working with kids. her and asking me to squeeze her hand or wiggle my another two months at St. Francis, but I was so happy When I was in junior high, I didn’t feel like I toes. I was trying! I even thought I WAS doing those to see those familiar faces. Like Nicole, my speech wanted to go through confirmation at First UMC. things. Then I would black out again. I don’t know therapist who had taught me how to mouth words, I wanted a change. Like any immature teenager, I who this nurse was, but her encouragement kept me my doctor, many nurses and respiratory therapists. wanted to go to the church that my best friend at- coming back. After a few times of opening my eyes, After the couple of months at St. Francis, I was tended. Sometimes I think God can use our imma- everything faded to black. ready to go home. We were lucky. God had blessed ture decisions for our benefit. My motive was to go to Eventually, I woke up. I opened my eyes and us with a home that needed minimal renovation to church with my best friend, but God was still able to looked around the hospital room. My first thought make it accessible. Going home was not like I had reach me through my immaturity. was I’m going to be late. I had been volunteering to imagined. I thought I would just walk in, run up the It was at that church that I first started to grow help with a summer program that my global studies steps and go to my room, but as it was I rolled into in my faith. This was a very small church with a very teacher Mr. McCabe’s wife was running at a grade the basement through the garage. That was when I small Sunday School class. I was comfortable there school in Peoria. I thought someone needs to call Mr. saw my new room in the basement equipped with because the only other people in the class were three McCabe to tell him I’m going to be late. He already a hospital bed, ventilator and oxygen. I was disap- of my close friends, and I absolutely loved the Sunday knew. I couldn’t move, but I looked to my left and I pointed but at least I was home. School teacher and the youth director. But my time saw my mom’s face. Her red nose and eyes told me For the first few years of my disability, I didn’t at this church was cut short. The minister retired and she had been crying. Then I looked to my right and really deal with my emotions. I focused on getting everyone parted ways. saw my granny with the same telltale signs of grief. I through each day’s routine – getting up, going to I was lost. I thought that Christianity was some- wanted to give them hugs but I couldn’t move. I just school, sleeping, doing homework along with all thing I could pursue when I was old after I had lived felt so exhausted. I thought I was just too tired to my medical obligations. I was focused on finishing my life the way I wanted. Then, when I was 15 years move. high school. All of my friends from high school were old, about two weeks into summer vacation after my Somehow, I was at peace. I don’t know how I wasn’t panicking. I remember panicking over much WALK WITH GOD CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 Annual Conference: Morning Manna 7 FRIDAY MORNING MANNA THE CURRENT Hopp puts on her boots by answering God’s call BY PAUL BLACK And yet, over the next year, the question PEORIA -- For Kristi Hopp, the journey to fully answer- persisted and came from various people. ing her call was a steady progression of being available “I finally said, ‘OK God, I realize that in order and being faithful. to do excellent ministry, really vital minis- Using her pair of boots as a centerpiece of her story, try, I am going to have to put on my boots Hopp recounted how when putting on the boots she and walk with them and serve with them alongside knew that it wasn’t going to be easy. them,” she said. Seven years ago, Hopp said her mentor set her down Hopp said the decision had to be hers because folks at lunch and said, “Kristi, you are so passionate about back home had the same concerns she initially had. trauma-related injuries and post-traumatic stress disor- As she was about ready to go off to Army boot camp, der, why don’t you consider a career in the military?” friends and ministerial colleagues expressed concerns An internship in chaplaincy at a VA facility in Phila- about the deployments and how it might impact plans delphia was a possibility and the doors seemed to be to have a family. And they suggested to Hopp that she opening. Within three days, an invitation was extended might want to consider the Air National Guard. to her. The details and financial arrangements were in Using three weeks during Advent, Hopp discerned place and Hopp commuted between Delaware, Ohio there was vital ministry she could do in that arena. to Philadelphia for six months before relocating to “While I was feeling called into military chaplaincy, I Philadelphia. also could hear the Holy Spirit saying, ‘it’s your choice’ “Every day I got up wanting to go to work,” Hopp said. as to how to live out that calling,” Hopp said. “I chose The type of work fueled her passion and she could see the Air National Guard. I signed on the dotted line, took she was making a difference. the oath of office (after I was married) and I have been But while in Philadelphia Hopp kept hearing from in for nearly six years. veterans. “The ministry I get to do on only two days a month and “Kristi, you are a great counselor, but you don’t know 15 days a year have been life changing for the people really what we lived through. You don’t really know of Peoria Air National Guard group,” she said. “And it Rev. Kristi Hopp, pastor of the Hennepin, Magnolia and McNabb UMC in what it is like to be in the military,” she recalled. has been life changing to me. God calls us to go be wit- the Vermilion River District and associate pastor of RiversEdge UMC in nesses to the ends of the earth. Where is your ‘end of the Illinois River District, tells of her journey to answer the call to minis- After the internship was completed, the mentor’s ques- the earth’ going to take you?” try in the armed forces as a member of the Air National Guard. tion “have you ever thought about a career in the mili- tary?” continued to haunt Hopp and the call persisted. Referring to Bishop Jonathan Keaton’s sermon which opened the Annual Conference, Hopp said, “I got stuck “I’m not military! I’m the farthest thing from military! I when I put on these boots because after all, I wouldn’t don’t even know how to shoot a weapon,” she respond- get caught dead in them; they clash with my wardrobe. ed. “I have no idea. I could march, but I’m 5’1” tall, I’m And the message is for the entire church – laity and not an athlete, but I don’t know if I can run the distance clergy alike. You just have to be willing to go where and do it in the time you want me to do it in. But I can you are called.” counsel. I can do that.”

SATURDAY MORNING MANNA WALK WITH GOD CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 moving on. Their visits were becoming fewer and farther hope and a future.” Through Scripture and the love and between. They all had the experiences that every girl support of other Christians, I started to believe that I am Jonah in a dreams about – after-school activities, prom, dating and valuable. I could encourage others. I could glorify God! eventually, going off to college. I couldn’t blame them but I appreciate the story of the blind man in John 9: 1-3. this made me dive deeper into depression. The disciples assumed that the man’s blindness was cause different way I felt so helpless and alone. I wanted answers. Why by sin, either his or his parents’. I love the way that Jesus re- me? Why now? Why was I the only one who got this sponded that neither sinned. This happened so that God’s LaMoine River District Superintendent, Doug Rorex, retells highly contagious disease? Why couldn’t it have waited work could be displayed in the blind man’s life. Maybe the story of Jonah in dramatic fashion during Saturday's until I was old? It just wasn’t fair! I was angry! God kept me here for the same reason, and he wanted Pam morning manna. In Isaiah 41:10, it says, “So do not fear, for I am in my life to guide me through scripture so I would find with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will my purpose. strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my Over the past year, I have been sharing my story. Now righteous right hand.” I kept going back to church, but my I am at peace. Now I am happy. heart wasn’t always in it. I kept praying for some change in I still struggle with things, but I have hope for the my life. God finally answered me one day at church. future. I celebrate the little things. I am thankful for each I had been feeling guilty about not having gone day I have. Ever since I was a teenager, I dreamed of doing through confirmation and for never really reading the something big. I wanted to change lives and help others. Bible. I realized that I didn’t even know God. I mentioned I like Psalm 40 and think of it as “My Psalm.” It is the to our assistant pastor that I would like to do Bible study, one I relate to best. It says, “I waited patiently for the Lord. but I couldn’t make it to church for the Tuesday morning He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of study group. This is where God stepped in. Judy (Doyle) the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire. He set my feet on a connected me with my Bible study partner and mentor, rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song Pam. in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see We started studying the Bible at my house. The more and fear and put their trust in the Lord.” I learned, the more I wanted to learn. God was slowly OK, so this is MY version of Psalm 40: 1-3: “I waited changing my life. It wasn’t easy, and it wasn’t always steady. not so patiently on the Lord. He knew I was grieving and I recognized that God loved me, and he accepted me the desperate for help. He pulled me out of depression and way I was with all of my flaws and disadvantages. frustration. He gave me some good examples of Christians Eventually, I started to love myself. I still wanted a and made me strive to become one myself. He changed my purpose. Why am I still here? Jeremiah 29:11 told me, “For whole attitude, my outlook on life. I hope people see me I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans and put their trust in the Lord.” to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you 8 Annual Conference: Memorial Service ROLL OF THE DEAD: Clergy members and spouses JULY 2016 JULY

Eula Mae Bender Lilian M. Burnett Mary Etta Catlin Lindsay D. Churchman Louise B. Croft Martha Imogene Dillman Ralph H. Dude William D. Ekstrom, Jr. Richard V. Garabrant Randy C. Grimmett

Nathaniel H. Gwinn William Paul Hawf Betty Jo Hendry Kennedy Glenn K. Ioder Ray Kelley, Jr. Shirley Leckrone Joseph E. Martin Rachel P. McCleary Marie Mitchell Joyce Owens William A. Palmer

William S. Renner Jeffrey R. Robbins Toni J. Ross Vernon L. Saldeen Paula Schmink John Richard Seed, Sr. Rev. Paul Sellers Chester E. Sheldon Esther W. White Paul E. White William L. White ROLLOF THE DEAD: Photographs not available at Lay persons time of publication: Eunice C. Deninger Joan E. Hutton George L. Whitley Oliver K. Zivney Peggy Jo Duncan-Wood Beulah M. Pribble Nancy Harp Richard Berner Helen Brawner James R (Skip) Proctor Mary Renfro Pauline Stoltz

MEMORIAL SERVICE ‘Get Up’: a part of developing one’s faith BY PAUL BLACK house full of worshipers witnessed the healing of But Keaton also acknowledged that death and PEORIA – Using the stories of the woman with an the paralytic let down through the roof get up, but dying still occur. “It’s true, we do not always get what issue of blood and the death of Jairus’ daughter, Christ we didn’t. Peter knelt down in prayer at the bedside we want no matter how much we pray or how hard demonstrated a commitment to work on the nature of a dead and gone woman and said, “Tabitha, Get we pray,” he said. “The book of James is correct, ‘the and depth of our faith. Up.” Tabitha opened her eyes and got up to shouts of prayers of the righteous availeth much’ (James 5:16). “We’re not just marching to Zion. We’re not just joy. We’ve lived routine lives devoid of these kinds of Even though your loved one is gone, keep prayer. joining William Cullen Bryant’s ‘innumerable caravan miracles happening to us,” Keaton said. “Maybe, we are Christ desires and wants the kind of intimacy with his of death.’ We’re not just singing It is well,” said Bishop left to ponder the stories of Jesus as teaching narra- children that arises from the unsolvable daily crises Jonathan Keaton in the annual conference memorial tives about healing, death and resurrection. I know, that reveal our need for God’s help. Hold on to what sermon. “We’re on our way to that Great Getting Up ‘we’ll understand it better by and by.’ Until then, we you’ve learned in this process of a beloved’s illness, Morning. On that day, Christ will call us to ‘Get Up.’ He are required to wait for that Great Getting Up Morn- dying and death…Our help comes from the Lord.” will wipe every tear from our eyes… ‘mourning, cry- ing. The trump’ shall sound. And the Lord will appear. And Keaton noted the woman’s story demon- ing and death will be no more’ for the former things Some folk will be caught up and meet him in the air. strates how one’s faith is not given but formed. will have passed away. Get up, there will be no more Others will spring forth to new life at the divine utter- “She had learned ‘to keep hope alive’ even as life night (in the city of God) … no need for light of lamp ance of two words, namely ‘Get Up.’” gave her a good beating,” he said. “The woman’s faith or sun … for the Lord God will be our light, and we In the Jairus story, Christ was moved by Jairus’ carried her a lot of years before she touched the hem shall reign forever and ever. Hallelujah. Amen.” faith. “A non-Christian leader demonstrated what of his garment and met the Master. ‘Get up’ fit the faith Keaton noted our experiences of life and death do Christians forget sometimes,” Keaton said. “Faith is of a woman who took the initiative to touch the hem not parallel the two gospel stories. a better medicine than laughter and because of his of his garment. In response, Jesus said, ‘Your faith has “A crowd saw Lazarus get up, but we didn’t. A faith-based plea, our Lord agreed to go see Jairus’ made you well.’” daughter and heal her.” Annual Conference: Honoring Our Retirees 9 THE CURRENT Honoring Our Retirees

“God gives us tomorrow – either here on Earth Steven L. Barrow Glen W. Bocox Larry Bricker or on the other side.” 22.25 years 43 years 10.25 years

Carl James Brown Scott W. Carlson Jennie Chin Betty J. Coffey 32.25 years 40 years 10.5 years 32 years

Danny F. Cox Robert DeBolt Ronald G. Dickinson Janet E. Eggleston 43 years 14 years 40 years 38 years

Gary L. Ford Sally R. Hamon Kenneth L. Harris Dan P. Harry ‘See you tomorrow’: 43 years 24.75 years 39 years 39 years God’s loud shout BY PAUL BLACK “I also heard a similar phrase in Seminary when I PEORIA – Rev. Ed Weston said he wrestled with a was on academic probation,” Weston said. “I went before Debra M. Horvath David L. Huff Michael D. Mayfield Robert J. McKelvey 26.5 years 31.75 years 24.75 years number of different metaphors to describe retirement. a panel and in the end, the professor said, ‘I will see you 11.25 years “Some talk about retirement as being recycled, but in class tomorrow.’” that leaves a lot to be desired,” he said during the Retiree Following a 2002 fire at Belleville Union, which Recognition Service. “After all, things that are recycled severely damaged a newly-completed addition to the still go out with the trash; it’s just a different pile.” church, Weston said he was asked by a TV reporter what The idea of “withdrawing from ministry” also he was going to do after such devastation. doesn’t seem to strike a resounding chord because the “I told the reporter, ‘I am going to work tomorrow Kingdom isn’t fully built yet. because evil hasn’t touched the church,’” he recalled. Carl S. Mesiti Stephen L. Palmer Daniel E. Powers Raymond D. Radae 43 years 45 years 27.75 years Leave it to the 2011 World Series, a seminary experi- He went on to say that in the upcoming days, a sense of 24 years ence at St. Paul’s School of Theology and a 2002 fire normalcy returned as the church sought out office and at Belleville Union UMC to reinforce the message for worship space for the transition period that lay ahead. retirement, “See you tomorrow.” “See you tomorrow is God’s loud shout, ‘This world “We are still going to be in your pews, attend your will not defeat God,’” Weston said. “God gives us tomor- potlucks,” he said. “We are choosing a different ministry. row – either here on Earth or on the other side. Because We’re stepping aside.” tomorrow is where God lives, where God’s Kingdom is Weston noted that the phrase “see you tomorrow” and it is God’s gift to us. James W. Reed Nancy E. Ribes James H. Ruberg H. Edwin Snow was the moniker which sports broadcaster Joe Buck said In all, the retiree class of 2016 numbered 33 and 16 years ? years 38.75 years 41.25 years when the St. Louis Cardinals’ David Freese hit a walk-off were recognized for 959.75 years of service. One mem- home run to win the game, 10-9, and force a seventh ber of the retiree class, the Rev. Jennie Chin, died June 8, and deciding game to the Series. just prior to the start of Annual Conference.

Chester E. Travis Edward R. Weston Fred White L. Dale Wilfong 33.75 years 42 years 39.5 years 29.5 years 10 Annual Conference: DCM Address DCM urges change to include more JULY 2016 JULY of the family Hispanic ministries: another field (Editor’s note: The following is a transcript of the Director of Connectional Ministries report to the 2016 Annual Conference, June 9, 2016) waiting to be harvested BY REV. DR. THOMAS LOGSDON, BY PAUL BLACK IGRC Director of Connectional Ministries PEORIA – Ministry with a growing Hispanic population I am a broken all are gifted with the passions and skills represents one of the largest fields awaiting a discipleship man. necessary to contribute to the good of harvest. It happened the whole and the advancement of God’s Kingdom. IGRC Associate Coordinator for Hispanic Ministries Adrian in November Garcia believes that with planning and strategy, Hispanic 2009 as I was The fields are ripe for the harvest, but ministries could be a bountiful harvest. coming out the people with handicapping conditions are church I was not merely harvest, they are fellow har- He noted in his presentation as part of the Connectional serving and vesters, working alongside the rest of us Ministries report: fell on the ice to establish God’s reign of peace, justice, • 1 of every 5 Illinois residents has a Hispanic background in the parking mercy, and love. • There are Hispanic residents in every county of Illinois, lot, severely Retrofitting our church buildings can be with the largest concentrations within the IGRC in the Spoon River District injured my expensive. The church where I worship is (Quad Cities), Iroquois River District (Champaign-Urbana) and the Mississippi River District (Metro East St. Louis) back – something two surgeries and lots in the middle of a million-dollar project of physical therapy have not been able to make our building more welcoming. Currently, there are five Hispanic ministries within the IGRC: to fix. Now I walk with a cane and can’t Lot of changes can be done cheaply, stand for praise songs. As an ordained • Jesus es el Senor UMC in Cobden, Cache River District however, and changing your attitude and • Manantiel de Vida, Moline, Spoon River District United Methodist pastor, I can still pray learning to see those with disabilities who the prayers to bless Holy Communion, I • Peoria First UMC, Peoria, Illinois River District are here and notice who aren’t won’t cost • Nueva Jerusalen, Kankakee, Vermilion River District just can’t stand long enough to serve the you a dime. body and blood of Christ to Christ’s body, • Nueva Esperanza, Caseyville, Mississippi River District the Church, and I have to sit while greet- My wife is a brain cancer survivor. Garcia noted that a comprehensive and strategic plan for the next four years needs ing people at the end of worship. With aggressive treatment, she beat the to be developed in coordination with the Cabinet and the District ministry teams and churches willing to make their neighborhood your mission field. To lead these I am a broken man, but I can still lift up odds and drove the cancer from her body, new ministries, there have to be trained clergy and laity who have been trained to Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior so that but not before a severe reaction to che- reach the Hispanic population. he can draw all people unto himself and motherapy hospitalized her for a month I can still serve this Annual Conference as and almost killed her. “District ministry teams need to envision a disciple-making strategy to reach your Director of Connectional Ministries, The cancer is gone, thank God, but it – Hispanic communities,” Garcia said. “Boards of Ordained Ministry need to recruit supervising a wonderful staff as they along with chemotherapy and radiation seminary students who can reach out to second and third generation Hispanics. And make disciples of Jesus Christ for the – has left her speech permanently slurred clergy with a skill set and calling to have a passion for the Hispanic population.” transformation of the world by equip- and her unable to walk without a walker. ping your local churches for ministry and Last Thanksgiving, we went to see our by providing a connection for ministry daughter and grandchildren in Southern Congregational Development video shows beyond the local church; all to the glory Indiana. Janice fell trying to get into our of God. SUV. It could’ve been tragic. We’ve had creative edge in reaping a harvest Our churches are full of broken people stairs for her to use ever since the cancer, BY PAUL BLACK – old gray mares and stallions who “ain’t but her legs have gradually grown weaker PEORIA – When it comes to church development, the possibilities are endless and what they used to be” but are filled with and, on that day, they gave out as she was IGRC Coordinator of Congregational Development pushed that creative thinking passion, gifts, skills for ministry honed getting in. with a humorous video entitled Dreaming New Places for New Faces. over a lifetime that they can still use to We were left with two choices. We could build up the body of Christ. Some of them “Not every dream of new places is the right idea for a new church, but many can either stop visiting our grandkids or do have handicapping conditions they were be great ideas of new places to connect with people in small groups or other new something radical, so we installed an elec- born with or developed through age, ac- ministries,” Crawford said in his part of the Connectional Ministries report. “So keep tric seat in our SUV that rotates, extends, cident, or illness. dreaming!” and lowers so she can wheel her wheel- Two ideas that have emerged or are emerging: They and I are children of God and can chair right up to the seat, transfer with and should be contributing members to our help, and be lifted into the vehicle. • Springfield First UMC launched a new ministry in October 2015 aimed at young the Body of Christ, but are often over- adults, Christ, Community, Coffee, an additional worship opportunity, located in It wasn’t cheap – I had to refinance our looked because we lack the vision to see the church’s community life center. The coffeehouse style worship is now attract- SUV to afford it – but now Janice can join them. ing an average of more than 200 each week. me in going to see our grandkids. There are many more people, broken • A new-multi site ministry partnering Murphysboro UMC Why spend that kind of money on people, who should be in our churches, with a restart of the Desoto UMC through its youth and chil- something that’s only going to be used but can’t leave their homes due to tem- dren’s ministry later this summer. Currently in the planning a few times a year? Because Janice is my porary or permanent disability and, even phase, a launch is expected during the summer. wife and we love our grandkids and want if they could, are concerned about how to to see them. Why spend a lot of money Congregational Development is also leading the effort on safely get into our buildings, find a place changing our churches so a handful of the Journey of 10x10, which was introduced to the 2015 to sit, use the bathroom if they need to, people can join us in worship and use Annual Conference. More than 90 congregations began The and receive what’s shared in worship and their gifts to help Christ bring in His Journey of 10x10 in February as individuals and churches elsewhere in a way they can understand. Kingdom? look to increase the spiritual vitality of its people. Associate Bishop Keaton has already told you to Coordinator of Congregational Development Peggy Hisey For the same reason! They’re family. We open your eyes and look around, the ([email protected]) is leading the effort. love them. We want them comfortable. Fields are Ripe for the Harvest. One of We want them safe. We want them here. Upcoming Workshops the most overlooked groups needing the To encourage individuals to create new places in their lives for new people, the Of- Gospel of Jesus Christ are people with Look around you. The fields are ripe for fice of Congregational Development offers a workshop: Reaching New People. Since handicapping conditions but they’re the harvest and there are fellow harvest- January 2015, 565 people from 94 charges and 110 IGRC churches have participated not simply objects for ministry, passive ers who could join you with just a little in the workshop. fields to be plowed, fruit and grain to be accommodation. Three dates and locations are already scheduled for the fall of 2016. For more infor- harvested; they are an intimate and inte- Go make disciples of all people for the mation, visit: www.igrc.org/reachingnewpeople. grated part of the body of Christ, gifted as transformation of the world! See more of DCM Report on p.14 Annual Conference: Laity and Cabinet Address 11 THE CURRENT The many stories from the Coal City tornado (Editor’s note: The following is a transcript of the Cabinet Address the storm, it was moved to another church in the commu- delivered by Rev. C. Douglas Rorex, LaMoine River District Su- nity and finished out the week with 137 children. The Bible perintendent and co-Dean of the IGRC Cabinet, June 10, 2016) School was topped off with a visit from District Superinten- Scripture texts: I Kings 19: 11-12, Matthew 26: 35-36, 40 dent Leah Pogemiller, Conference Director of Communi- BY KEN MILLER, IGRC Lay Leader cation Ministries Paul Black, and a very special visit from Where were you on Monday, June 22, 2015? Bishop Keaton, who shared a message of hope, played on the I don’t think I will ever forget where I was. It was an piano and sang Jesus Loves Me with the children. off day on the schedule of the baseball team that I work for It's a story about our own Bunny Wolfe coming and and so I worked my usual day at the office and started home spending several days with us, working side-by-side with our about 4 p.m. On the way home, I heard weather reports of church family and the community to ease people’s burdens. possible strong storms approaching our area, but I didn’t pay It’s the story about endless volunteers including the too much attention because I had heard those reports before, Chicago Bears; my team, the Joliet Slammers, several athletic and in most cases, they had not turned into anything. teams from neighboring towns, area churches and church Once I arrived home, I turned on the news and the re- groups from our conference, and many more. ports were coming in about possible tornadoes in the area. It It’s a story of a church kitchen that turned out two and three meals a day for six weeks – a total of 20,000 and never 500 trees in Coal City alone. was still too early to tell how severe they would be and what It’s also the story of two special people out on the floor direction they would take. turned anyone down that was in need. When it looked as if we might run out of food, we always had someone show up our conference named Larry Bennett and Karen Hart, who As the evening wore on, the storms moved closer and worked endlessly to make sure people had what they needed. closer to Coal City, and it became evident that we could with more – like the Shoemaker and the Elves. It’s a story of endless gifts of donated food, money and So this is the story of a community that almost a year be in for trouble. I have been through several tornadoes in ago suffered a disastrous stage 3 tornado. But out of the di- my life without experiencing major damage so, while I was prayers to help us through the tough times. It’s a story of quick response, an open church and a com- saster came the spirit of a community that is still picking up beginning to be concerned, I wasn’t frightened. the pieces but with a strong determination to see it through Finally, around 9 p.m., my wife returned from a meet- munity pulling together. Some would say that we learned from the first tornado, and that could be true, but the fact to the end. It’s also a story of a church that not only read ing, and by then, the reality of a tornado hitting us was Matthew 26, but who also believed it and lived it – a church becoming more and more real. I suggested that, while not that we had a good plan cannot be overlooked. It’s the story of a young veterinarian who volunteered his that was not afraid to heed God’s call for help. panicking, we probably should go down to our crawl space At a family dinner prior to the tornado, I had expressed just to be safe, especially since the warning sirens in town time for any one whose pet had a problem and actually did surgery on an injured dog. Also a group called Therapy Dogs my concern that I didn’t think people responded to emergen- were going off. We stayed in the crawl space until the “all cies like they use to in the past. People were just too busy clear” sounded. International brought therapy dogs to our church. It’s a story of a young man from Chicago nicknamed with their own things, and the sense of community was Unlike some tornadoes I have been through, we never being lost. Boy, was I wrong! God, in his infinite wisdom, heard the roar or experienced a lot of wind by our house. Santa Sam, who started a foundation that brought Christmas presents to the displaced children so that they could have a slapped me right across the face and showed me how wrong Once out of the crawl space I realized that we had no power, and foolish I was. I learned a valuable lesson about commu- and when I looked out our back door, I saw the flashing Christmas. It’s a story of a Long Term Recovery Committee that has nity, love, friendship and people helping people – a lesson I lights of an emergency vehicle over at our church. My im- will never forget. mediate thought was that something had gone wrong at the given out more than $350,000 in aid to the victims and is still meeting to help people. (Note: The Laity Address ended with a reading entitled church. I told my wife to go to bed and that I was going to go What Will Matter by Michael Josephson. The full text of the over to the church and make sure that everything was OK. It’s a story of Commonwealth Edison and a local nursery helping the recovery effort by donating and helping to plant reading can be found by visiting http://www.appleseeds.org/ I was totally unprepared for what I saw when I drove What-Matters.htm) into the parking lot. There were several emergency vehicles in the parking lot (the number would eventually be in the 20’s) with their lights on, and as I parked and walked up to the front door, I heard several generators working to provide emergency electricity. Focusing on the Light When I opened the door, there were several church members there along with several families who were home- (Editor’s note: The following is a transcript of the Cabinet I am most acquainted with what takes place in Address delivered by Rev. C. Douglas Rorex, LaMoine River less because of the storm. Because of the first tornado (in Western Illinois…or what is referred to by its residents as District Superintendent and co-Dean of the IGRC Cabinet, June November 2013) that we experienced, preparations were “Forgottonia.” There are good things happening there as 10, 2016) already in place and being executed. The rest of the night, elsewhere around our conference. There are things which the next morning and afternoon were all a blur as more BY REV. C. DOUGLAS ROREX may possibly astound, and, ultimately, inspire others to attempt extraordinary ministry. These aren’t the largest people arrived, and the news of the extensive damage began What is it that either captivates us or that holds our churches in our conference, but they are more repre- to filter in. attention? This is no idle question for where we direct our sentative than we may realize. How many of you attend I have to say that the volunteers, most of them our time, talents and passion determines to a very large extent churches that average 50 or less in attendance at your church members, were amazing. Many of them went without the people we become. Do we concentrate on either the primary worship service? sleep for as long as 48 hours to help those in need. Thank light or the darkness? Browning UMC in a tiny community along the Illinois goodness for strong coffee! Year after year we are bombarded with information. River has increased it attendance by more than a third The story doesn’t end there. I would like to share the rest We receive each annual conference the statistics regarding and held its first confirmation class is years. They support of the story with you. It’s a story that amidst the chaos has a the membership in our churches, the strength of financial a number of missions generously including Chaddock, happy ending. It’s a story about a community that refused to giving and the current trends. I am neither suggesting that Heifer Project, Making Dreams Possible for Africa Uni- allow adversity to defeat it. A community that reached out someone shouldn’t be assigned to assemble this data nor versity, Red Bird Mission, Schuyler County Help Center, in a time of need and joined together to make itself stronger that we shouldn’t pay attention to it. I am saying it should the local schools, and they have a monthly dinner for the and about a church that was right in the middle of it all. not be our primary focus. community that averages 150 in attendance. It’s a story about two dedicated pastors – one who was Frederich Nietsche said, If you gaze long into an abyss, Murrayville UMC has a monthly mission dinner. This leaving after a year named Wally Carlson and one who was the abyss also gazes into you (Beyond Good and Evil). Lis- dinner not only raises money for missions locally and replacing him named Brad Shumaker – both of them doing tening to only that which tells us what we can’t do, that re- worldwide, but also does mission. They deliver, each and whatever necessary to help out and ease the community minds us of what is wrong and that predicts our inevitable every month, meals to low income families before the mis- pain. failure is an all but guaranteed way to ensure it. sion meal is served at the church. It’s a story of a little 5-year-old girl, who had just lost her One of our responsibilities, as the Cabinet, is to con- Hamilton/Warsaw UMC, on the Northwest Frontier house, climbing up on Pastor Wally’s lap, and when he asked tinually direct our focus toward the light. The Word was of the LaMoine River District, is doing incredible youth her how she was, she replied, “Let’s see. My Mom and Dad the source of life, and this life brought light to humankind. work with over 30 high school age youth and more than are OK, my brothers and sisters are OK, my dog is OK, so The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never 20 Middle School/Junior High meeting weekly. They are I’m OK, too.” put it out (The Gospel of John 1:-4-5). in the first stages of establishing a contemporary service to It’s a story of a recently married young lady who had There are things which we can do, which lift our reach those not yet connected with a faith fellowship. returned home for a two-week visit coming to the church hearts and inspire us to embrace the discipleship to which Bluff Springs UMC shares a meal each and every week for help and giving her clothes to another young lady whose we have been called. The Mississippi River District has in fellowship following Sunday worship. house had been destroyed so that she could attend a confer- a website for their churches to publish good news and Pleasant Grove UMC, a rural open country church, ence. promote successes that have been experienced. LaMoine was averaging 29 in worship in 2013. They are now averag- It’s a story of a well-planned Vacation Bible School that River District is currently in process of producing a DVD ing 40 to 50 each Sunday and took in 20 new members was to take place at the church that week. After meeting on sharing what some of our churches are doing for use at our Monday and not being able to meet on Tuesday because of Charge Conferences. LIGHT CONTINUED ON PAGE 23 12 Annual Conference: Photo Recap JULY 2016 JULY

PICTORIAL REVIEW Annual Conference: Photo Recap 13 THE CURRENT 14 Annual Conference Mission Partnerships

JULY 2016 JULY IGRC mission partnership BY BUNNY WOLFE Liberia! IGRC Coordinator of Mission and Outreach Upcoming Mission Trips Liberia Perhaps the question to ask is “Where is As we move forward with this partnership, a new God calling you to go to experience an brochure has been prepared. The Liberia Partnership are international mission trip?” IGRC now downloadable from the conference website. Our two offers trips to Honduras, Hungary, Liberia central emphases remain the same: and the Philippines. Please consider one Pastor Salary Support for the Liberia United Methodist of these trips in 2017. clergy since many pastors serve with minimal or no The cost of each IGRC mission trip salary support, particularly in includes airfare, visas if needed, trip TEGUCIGALPA, HONDURAS the rural areas: Pastor Salary insurance and all in country housing, meals, tips and (*The trip brochure is posted online and is available at the Support, Advance #15124A transportation. The only additional costs to participants Liberia and VIM display.) are necessary inoculations/medications and whatever Scholarship Support makes Date: January 9 – 16, 2017 items each person purchases to bring home as gifts. education a reality for Registration Deadline: August 15, 2016 the children of Liberia to Why are there so many different destinations? The hope Cost: $2,300 encourage and empower is to make a variety of destinations available knowing that Project: San Jose de La Vega Mission Complex not everyone will feel called to visit a specific country. them to chart a better BUDAPEST, HUNGARY Perhaps YOU have always had a deep desire to travel to way of life. Through our (*The trip brochure is posted online and is available at the one of the countries we now offer, but you have never had conference scholarship Liberia and VIM display.) program each of us can the opportunity. With some of the deadlines approaching send a child, who we this fall and early 2017, NOW IS THE TIME to register for a Date: June 15 – June 14, 2017 $2,400 known by name, to a 2017 IGRC International mission experience. Registration and Deposit Deadline: February 15, 2017 Cost: $2,400 school in Liberia for Brochures on the following trips may be downloaded at: Project: Conversational English and Relationship Building one year: Scholarship www.igrc.org/forms?topic=Missions Advance #15125B at Forrai High School in Budapest LIBERIA Limited to 12 people It has been 10 years October 2016 Dedication of Bethany UMC PHILIPPINES since the partnership December 2016 Young Adult Team Dates: March 2 – 16, 2017 between our Illinois January 2017 IGRC team Registration and Deposit Deadline: October 1, 2016 Great Rivers Conference (For more information on the above trips, please contact Cost: $3,600 and the Liberia Annual [email protected] before July 15. Registration is still Project: Complete Mission Center on the Island of Palawan. Conference began. possible for the December 2016 and January 2017 teams, Includes: a minimum of two nights in Manila. but deadlines are quickly approaching for additional team The IGRC mission relationship with Liberia remains An international mission trip grant may also be available members to be added.) strong and active even though we have not been able to to offset the cost of your experience if you have never physically visit the country since the Ebola outbreak in 2017 LIBERIA TEACHER TRAINING TRIP traveled to one of the countries were IGRC has a early 2014. Currently a new church project, the Bethany (*The trip brochure is posted online and is available at the partnership. To qualify for a grant, the trip must be a United Methodist Church in Buchanan, is nearing Liberia and VIM display.) conference sponsored. Grant applications are available completion. A small team is returning in June 2016 Dates: July 8 – 20, 2017 by contacting [email protected] and the application with others now planned for late December, 2016 and Registration Deadline: February 15, 2017 is also posted on the IGRC website at: www.igrc.org/ January 2017. A teacher training team is also scheduled Cost: $3,700 forms?topic=Missions for summer 2017. It is time IGRC mission teams return to Discipleship opportunities for churches, individuals abound BY BETH FENDER tuaries training videos on the Discipleship Ministries bulletins). We have been in prayer for General and An- Coordinator of Discipleship and New Streams website on topics such as background checks, registered nual Conference, and this effort will continue through the There are a number of ways in which persons can sex offenders, protecting vulnerable adults, and more. last day of Jurisdictional Conference. Prayer prompts are develop their discipleship and leading others on their Links to the new videos were added just last week on the posted to Facebook each day at about 2 p.m. to remind discipleship journey. Here’s a small sampling of opportu- Safe Sanctuaries page of our conference website at: www. everyone to stop at 2:14 and pray together. nities: igrc.org/safesanctuaries. While there is no substitute for Prison ministries: An exciting ongoing ministry in Disability Resources: Many of the handouts which face-to-face training, these videos are a long-awaited tool, prisons in Pekin and Decatur is occurring with the po- were in the display area, as well as information about and and I am grateful to Discipleship Ministries for producing tential of a new site in Pinckneyville. We are also excited applications for Disability Awareness Grants, may also be them. to welcome Rev. Mark Hicks, the executive director of accessed via links on the Disability Concerns pages on the Walking in the Wesleyan Spirit series: There are up- Disciple Bible Outreach Ministries National, who will conference website at: www.igrc.org/disabilityconcerns. coming and ongoing opportunities for spiritual leaders to be visiting Illinois Aug. 6-9. He will be presenting in two The Disability Sunday grant fund has been significantly deepen their own faith so that we can become even more locations in the Northern Illinois Conference as well as in depleted by recent grants so local churches are urged to effective at leading others in the discipleship journey. Pekin and Nashville within the IGRC. For more informa- observe Disability Awareness Sunday on the 4th Sunday Tom Albin of the Upper Room and Steve Manskar tion about how you can get involved in this effort to send of September (or another date convenient to your congre- of Discipleship Ministries (both of whom helped with teams of volunteers to lead Disciple Bible Study in prisons gation) and collect an offering so that funds will continue the development of the original New Streams workbook throughout the state of Illinois, contact me at bfender@ to be available to issue these grants. and DVD) back to the IGRC for a series of events begin- igrc.org and I will be happy to direct you to the appropri- Safe Sanctuaries: Other resources help churches ning this fall. For more information about the "Walking ate people to get connected. remain Safe Sanctuaries for everyone. I am developing a with Jesus in the Wesleyan Spirit" series, please visit our Conference Interns: There are 11 interns who are network of at least one resource person in each district display. serving in churches and ministries throughout the confer- who can answer questions and provide training for lo- 2:14 Prayer Group: The Board of Discipleship and I ence this summer. (That's item #19 of the 20 Ways to Cul- cal church volunteers. Meanwhile, I am willing to come are excited about the concert of prayer that has been hap- tivate a Culture of Call in Your Local Church. Information to any church in the conference to provide this valuable pening in the 2:14 Prayer Group (both on Facebook and on the internship program can be found at: www.igrc.org/ training. Also, there are some BRAND NEW Safe Sanc- through various local churches who have listed it in their interns. You can also contact me for more information. Annual Conference Legislation/Social Justice/Torch Award 15 Kreeb, Strassheim, Crede honored THE CURRENT BY PAUL BLACK And Kreeb and former Baby Fold CEO Dale Stras- House for more than 35 years,” he said. “I tell folks PEORIA – Former Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood sheim were honored during the Golden Cross when I go out to speak that when they think of the House CEO Bill Kreeb was honored for his 35 years Ministries segment of the conference agenda. mission trips they have been on, I feel like I have been on a mission trip for 35 years.” of service as he and Cunningham Home Chaplain Bill Kreeb Gay Crede were name the winners of the Social Jus- As CEO, Kreeb has seen the agency grow from For Bill Kreeb, his 35 years at the tice Awards at Friday’s social justice dinner during a community center serving several hundred Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood Annual Conference. residents to serving more than 18,000 in 2014. House has been a labor of love. Kreeb was named this year’s Cramer-Tolly Award, Looking at the needs of the community, Kreeb has while Crede, as clergy, was honored as Cramer- “I feel like it has been a blessing for Heuerman Award recipient. me to be able to be in mission at the Neighborhood HONORS CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

Legislative Special offerings Item Title Action Taken John Kofi Asmah School, Laity Session -- $4,942.73 101 Organizational Motions Approved by hand vote Africa University Making Dreams 102 Bar of the Clergy Session Approved by hand vote Possible Scholarships -- $52,464.29 Second Africa University offering -- $20,213.86* 103 Bar of the Laity Session Approved by hand vote *Offerings and pledges. Additional offerings and 104 2017 Budget Approved 643-7 pledges were given throughout Annual Conference. They now total roughly -- $929,000 105 Conference Board of Pensions Approved 733-6 Ordinands’ Holy Land Pilgrimage -- $5,937.62 106 Standing Rule II .C. Amendments to Rules and Policies (2/3 vote) Approved 683-29 Tom Brown Scholarship, Wiley College -- $7,163.64 107 Policies of the Standing Rules Committee (2/3 vote) Approved 710-29 108 Amend Policies of the IGRC Personnel Committee (2/3 vote) Approved 705-21

109 Amend PASBF Articles of Incorporation Approved 801-11

110 Election of IGRC Chancellor, 2017-2020 Approved 720-26

111 Discontinuation of Good Shepherd UMC Approved 724-21

112 Discontinuation of Hallidayboro UMC Approved 730-29 113 Discontinuation of Springfield Northside UMC Approved 719-43 114 Discontinuation of Stockland UMC Approved 715-39 115 Discontinuation of Thawville UMC Approved 743-41 116 Chaddock Covenant Approved 728-11 117 Wesley Village Covenant Approved 722-12 Referred back to the committee Photo by Paul Black 118 Deaf and Hard of Hearing Sunday Rev. Dr. Kent Lolling, left, presents Bill Ettinger with the Torch Award 435-291 Stewart Amendment #1 Approved Ettinger receives by hand vote 119 Follow Up on 2015 Act of Repentance Stewart Amendment #2 Scouting’s Torch Award Ruled Out of Order BY PAUL BLACK Approved as amended 655-106 SPRINGFIELD – Bill Ettinger, a member of Springfield Laurel UMC received the Torch Award recently during a Court of Honor Griffith Amendment at the church. 120 Our Conference, Our Kids Approved 605-40 Bill Ettinger has been involved in the Scouting ministries of his Approved as amended 699-40 church for most of his life. He was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout at his home church in Taylorville, attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. After 121 Policies of the Young Adult Council (2/3 vote) Approved 733-17 college, Bill became involved with the BSA in the Abraham Lincoln Council by serving as an adult advisor to the Order of the Arrow, 122 Policies of Commission on Equitable Compensation (2/3 vote) Approved 704-26 and began serving as an Assistant Scoutmaster. 123 Commission on Equitable Compensation Approved 609-104 In 1975, Ettinger became Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 36 at Laurel UMC and continues in that capacity today, completing 124 Election of Treasurer/Director of Administrative Services Approved 716-50 30 years as Scoutmaster. He also serves as co-chair of the Abraham Lincoln Council BSA Silver Beaver Committee. Bill has been an Amendment approved 665-76 201 Vegan Option for Annual Conference Meals organizer for the Council First Aid Meet for over 20 years and has Defeated as amended 167-571 done a number of work details at Camp Bunn. Bill promotes the God and Country Award on a regular sched- 202 Protecting Illinois Bobcats Defeated 122-622 ule by recruiting adult leaders to work with the Directing Pastor at Laurel United Methodist Church to complete the God and Country Report 301 Advance Specials for 2017 Approved 717-24 program every two to three years, ensuring that all Boy Scouts are Report 302 IGRC Treasurer’s Report Received on hand vote offered the opportunity to complete the requirements. The Torch Award is an annual award given by the United Report 303 IGRC Board of Trustees Report Received on hand vote Methodist Men and recognizes leadership in youth-serving agen- cies or scouting, (Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H Clubs, Camp Fire Report 304 Preachers’ Aid Society and benefit Fund Report Received by voice vote Boys and Camp Fire Girls). Torch Award recipients must be an active United Methodist Report 305 United Methodist Foundation Report Received Church member, have a continuous record of 10 years or more in working with civic youth serving agencies or scouting; assume Report 306 Commission on Camping and Retreat Ministries Report Received 748-41 leadership within the program; counsel young people enrolled in its Report 307 Committee on Nominations Report Approved 634-8 religious awards program. 16 Annual Conference Evangelism Awards Church Growth Awards Awards given for the most professions of faith in each given membership category JULY 2016 JULY Membership 1-50 Membership 101-250 Pleasant Grove UMC, Iroquois Urbana Quest, Iroquois River River District, Lisa Wiedman, District, Andrew Adams pastor, pastor, 11 Professions of Faith 20 Professions of Faith Membership 51-100 Membership 251-500 (TIE) Dayspring Native American Springfield Douglas Avenue, UMC, Illinois River District, Sangamon River District, Julia Danira Parra, pastor, and Melgreen pastor, 38 Professions Fountain of Life UMC, Sangamon of Faith River District, Kevin Treptow, Membership 501+ pastor, 9 Professions of Faith Fairview Heights Christ, Missis- sippi River District, Shane Bishop pastor, 127 Professions of Faith

5-Star Mission Churches for 2015 Cache RD Lamoine RD Carbondale First UMC Christ UMC Carmi Emmanuel UMC Havana First UMC Galatia UMC Jacksonville Grace UMC Crawford, Harrison, Fox honored Golconda UMC Jacksonville Wesley Chapel UMC Wolf Lake UMC Manchester UMC as Denman Award recipients Greenwood UMC Quincy Vermont Street UMC Stiritz UMC Mississippi RD Bishop Keaton awarded Cartwright Lifetime Achievement Award Elkville UMC Hartford UMC Embarras RD Huey UMC BY PAUL BLACK High Bible Study on Sunday evening. Casey UMC Fairview Heights Prospect Park PEORIA – IGRC Coordinator of Congregational Develop- The group now coming through Madeline’s efforts has grown too large for her own car. Her mother has had to start Charleston Wesley UMC UMC ment Mike Crawford was selected as the Denman Evangelism Dogwood Prairie UMC Granite City Nameoki UMC Award for clergy, while Madeline Harrison of Canton Wesley driving as well to ensure everyone has a ride. Effingham Centenary UMC Medora UMC UMC and Ean Fox of Kinmundy UMC were selected as the laity Canton Wesley’s senior high youth group has more than and youth recipients of the evangelism awards. doubled since Madeline started inviting others and others started Cottonwood UMC New Baden UMC Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton was awarded the Peter Cart- following her example. Marshall First UMC Sparta First UMC wright Lifetime Achievement Award and all four were recog- Her pastor notes, “I can think of at least 6 students who Kedron UMC Troy UMC nized on Friday as part of the Connectional Ministries report. are actively involved with our ministry because of Madeline. 2 Paris First UMC Wanda UMC of them will be baptized soon. 3 of them have signed up to join Shelbyville First UMC Mike Crawford us on our summer mission trip. 1 student began bringing his Sangamon RD Crawford is recognized throughout our jurisdiction as a “de- mother and father to Church with him, and their family will all Illinois RD Auburn UMC veloper of church developers.” His ministry since 2003 has been be joining the Church by profession of faith.” Canton Wesley UMC Elkhart UMC starting and revitalization congregations throughout our confer- Dunlap Prospect UMC Bissell UMC ence through equipping and empowering of others – coaching, Ean Fox East Peoria First UMC Chatham UMC mentoring, nurturing, and occasionally dragging them through- Fox began his faith journey at a young age but, in these last three years, has truly become an Ambassador for Christ to his Eureka UMC Clinton UMC out the process. Hanna City UMC Decatur First UMC “Mike loves Jesus. Mike loves people. Mike loves The United peers and beyond. Trivoli UMC Decatur Grace UMC Methodist Church,” said the Rev. David Kueker, chair of the A junior at South Central High School in Farina this fall, IGRC Evangelism Committee in making the announcement. Fox is an active participant at the Kinmundy First UMC where Kewanee First UMC Mason City UMC “His greatest joy is introducing people to Jesus and establishing he helps with audio/video setup and runs all of the tech equip- Mackinaw UMC Illiopolis UMC and strengthening United Methodist congregations where those ment, audio, and slides on Sunday morning. Pekin Grace UMC Hammond UMC people can grow in faith until they become fruitful and produc- A local church lay servant since 2015, Ean has filled the Peoria Bethel UMC Sharon UMC t i v e .” pulpit at Kinmundy First and Wesley United Methodist churches Peoria University UMC Springfield Douglas Ave. UMC and leads worship as a liturgist once a month at Kinmundy First. He uses a significant portion of his time, energy, and creativ- Springfield Jerome UMC One of three founding members of Friday Night Unite, Ean Iroquois RD ity not only leading our own churches to become more faithful to Taylorville UMC our Lord’s call to evangelize, but also in discovering, evaluating has worked with the United Methodist and Christian churches Bellflower UMC and implementing how other United Methodist Conferences and of Kinmundy to develop and provide a positive place for teens Champaign Faith UMC Spoon RD Denominations are seeking to fulfill this call. He conferences to worship, have fun, and learn about Jesus Christ. Recreational Champaign First UMC Hills Grove UMC with Congregational Development Leaders across our connec- activities and pizza usually follow the youth led worship service. Crescent City UMC Colona UMC tional system to enhance his own knowledge of evangelism and From a high school with 183 students, Friday Night Unite draws Weedman UMC Fairfield UMC how to share the Good News to a world in need. an average of 40 to 50 youth and sometimes has as many as 75 in attendance. Paxton First UMC Good Hope UMC Madeline Harrison He is active in sports, particularly the varsity basketball Shiloh UMC Macomb Wesley UMC Harrison will be a senior at Spoon River Valley High School team, and has recently been elected state vice president of the Tuscola UMC Orion UMC in London Mills, and has been an active participant at Canton Future Business Leaders of America. Urbana Wesley UMC Port Byron First UMC Wesley UMC entire life. Villa Grove UMC Swan Creek UMC Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton “Madeline is full of joy, loves to worship, and is not afraid to Weldon UMC Vermilion RD ask questions about her faith,” Kueker said. “After a senior high Bishop Keaton, who will be retiring at the end of August, mission trip to Alabama following her sophomore year of high spent 46 years in active ministry, including 20 years as a bishop Kaskaskia RD Ebenezer UMC school, Madeline became passionate about reaching others for of The United Methodist Church. The Peter Cartwright Lifetime Albion UMC Bloomington Wesley UMC Jesus Christ.” Evangelism Award is presented to an individual whose excep- Alma UMC Bonfield Evangelical UMC She started out small, inviting her boyfriend to come to tional leadership qualities have helped our conference in making Fairfield First UMC Bourbonnais Grace Comm. UMC Church and youth group with her. Then she invited another disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Flora First UMC Braceville UMC friend. Then two more. Then more. This person’s lifetime example challenges our pastors and Kinmundy First UMC El Paso UMC lay people to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others. Her method has been to give friends a connection card to Mt. Carmel Evangelical UMC Normal First UMC Wesley’s Wednesday night youth program – where they meet for Whereas the Denman awards are given in each annual confer- ence for a period of work, the Peter Cartwright Lifetime Evan- Mt. Vernon First UMC Verona UMC Bible Study, worship and games – and to offer them a ride. After Mt. Vernon West Salem Trinity Ritchey UMC they are involved on Wednesday night, she invites them to Sr. gelism Award is given only by this conference to a retired pastor who has reflected this work throughout their career. UMC Saunemin UMC Annual Conference Pastoral Appointments & Supply 17 Please Note: Additional pastoral appointments or changes to charges listed below may be made at any time deemed advisable by the bishop and cabinet - The Book of Discipline, Para 429 THE CURRENT CACHE RIVER DISTRICT Sesser/Valier Zachary R Waldis 4FE Shawneetown Emmanuel Mike Johnsey 6PL Montgomery District Superintendent – Roger W Russell 6FE Sunfield Erin Totten 3PE Good Shepherd’s Parish: 1508 Sioux Dr, Ste C, Marion 62959-5209, 618-998-0135, Tate’s Chapel/Broughton Robert Mainer 2PL Coffeen fax 618-998-0137, [email protected], 1108 Daybreak Dr, Marion 62959-3791, Vergennes Faith Stephanie Voss 4PL Fillmore *618-997-8481, [email protected], ( ) = not a mailing address Vergennes Wesley/Elkville Angela K Kaye 8PL Hillsboro Vienna Joseph Richard 1FE Anna Carl Johnston 1FE Irving Webb's Chapel Delbert G Essen, Jr 9PL Belknap/West Eden Steve Heisner 31SY Witt TBS West Frankfort Trinity Joey L Dunning 8FE Benton First Lee Lovett 2FE Carol Sue Bryce 3RE Zeigler/Royalton Lynette Barnett 6SY Big Prairie/Maunie/ John Walsh 7SY Zion Van Scott 15PL Concord Thaddeus Galloway 3LM Montrose Cameron Saint Michael 4SY Cache Chapel Mike Sharp 7LM Neoga Grace/Toledo/Etna Todd Krost 3PE Cairo Tigert Memorial/ EMBARRAS RIVER DISTRICT Newton Grace/Kedron Pam Hoffman 2FE Mounds Doug Atkins 4PL District Superintendent – Scott Grulke 3 FE Nokomis Steven Williams 6FL Carbondale First Alan R Rhein 8FE 1901 S 4th St, Ste 236, Effingham 62401-4188, 217-347-3915, fax 217-347-3916, Oak Ridge TBS Carbondale Grace In-Sook Hwang 3FE [email protected], 602 Newman Ct, Effingham 62401-6404, *217-347-3917, Oblong Central Michael Laflin 5OF Carmi Emmanuel Scott Baird 1AM Oblong Evangelical James A Williams 5AM [email protected], ( ) = not a mailing address Carmi First Randy Douglass 2FE Oliver Joseph Irwin, Sr 8SY Carrier Mills Stan Irvin 8FE Altamont Circuit: Palestine First/ Carterville Robert Morwell 4FE Asbury Palestine Grace Jane Drake 9SY Cedar Grove/Pittsburg Steve Utley 2PL Dexter Paris First TBS Center/Cypress/Luther’s Chapel Funkhouser Paris Otterbein/Vermilion Jeff Stahl 4FL Cypress Kenneth Baker 6LM Salem Ed Wojnar 11RL Pearl Chapel TBS Center Altamont First William Deuel 6FE Pleasant Valley TBS Luther's Chapel Kenneth Baker 13LM Beecher City/Shumway Paul R Bauer 13FE Robinson First Jay Regennitter 3FE Cobden: Jesus es el Senor Ernesto Trevino 7OE Brownstown/Emmanuel Don Thomas 6PL Robinson Otterbein/ Colp Jim Heaney 6SY Casey Gary Fairchild 1FE Hutsonville Judy Williams 1FL Crab Orchard Paul Jacob 3LM Charleston Otterbein Cross Road Cecil Atchison 7PL Oakland Chuck Trent 3RE Saint Elmo Circuit: Crossville/McHenry Dave Cochran 2FL Charleston Wesley Robert Swickard 3FE Fairview Dahlgren/Macedonia George W Biby 2LM Chrisman Eugene Creek 3RL Trinity Chapel John Heicher 24PL DeSoto TBS Clay's Prairie/Scottland Melanie Hoth 2SY Saint Elmo First Daniel Laack 5PL DuQuoin Jarrett Wells 3FE Cowden/Lakewood Timothy Shaw 2FL Salem Jeremy Harminson 4PL Eldorado/Raleigh Chris Wise 2FL Dogwood Prairie/ Enfield/Wesley Chapel Ron Johnson 3RL Seed Chapel Hiram Gonzalez 6FL Shelby Cooperative Ministry: Equality/Wesley Chapel/ Effingham Centenary Joseph Scheets 8FE Fourth Street Ridgway Keith Bradley 5PL Jessica Baldyga 2FE Wesley Chapel Linda Trent 3LM Fountain Robert Shook 6RE Falmouth/Willow Hill Chuck Cunningham 3PL Shelbyville First Dan Seibert 5FE Galatia Harrison Peyton 23RE Sugar Grove William Duke 21SY Glendale/Eddyville Michael Shearer 4PL Five Point Parish: Tower Hill/Herrick David Hutton 6RE Golconda/Cave In Rock Sharon L Wilkerson 7PL Stewardson Patricia Hutton 6RE Goreville/Creal Springs Andrew Black 2FL Mode Vandalia Haley Chapel/ Grand Tower/Wolf Lake/ Strasburg Mount Carmel David Arnold 2SY Ware Bobbie Shutlz 2RL Washington Vandalia Luster Chapel David Arnold 2SY Gaskill Kathryn Lewis 11PE Watson James Whitaker 5RL Greater West Frankfort Parish: Steve Harder 2SY West Liberty Kenneth Miller 5RE West Frankfort Antioch Westfield Walter Miller 7FE West Frankfort Central David Estep 2RE Flat Rock Christopher Quick 4PE Woodbury Roger Kilzer 4PL Greenup/Cottonwood Cyndi Wiedman 7PL Zion Kyle Bailey 2SY Greenwood Richard Sullins 3RE Harmon Cameron Saint Michael 4SY Zion Hill Phillip Glick 5RE Harrisburg First Christine D Cunningham 6FE Harvest Jeff Morrison 6PL Herrin/Energy Bill Wiggs, Jr 4FE Humboldt Mitch Ramey 2PL ILLINOIS RIVER DISTRICT Johnston City/Stiritz Stephen Hudspath 1FL Hume Eugene Creek 3RL Jonesboro/Walnut Grove Robert Fear 14RL Kansas Karen Blank-Ewell 4OE District Superintendent – Mary Kathryn Pearce 4FE Joppa/Oak Grove Pete Ryan 9PL Kirk Chapel James Conlin 2SY 2818 N University St, Peoria 61604-2610, 309-688-9027, fax 309-688-9037, Illinois- Karnak/Ohio Chapel/ Lerna Melody 1SY [email protected], 11607 N Dunmore, Dunlap 61525-8707, *309-231-0925, mkpearce@ Olmsted Alan D Milligan 12FE igrc.org, ( ) = not a mailing address Marion Aldersgate Timothy D Ozment 10FE The United Methodist Churches of Marshall: Bartonville/Kingston Mines Nick Jordan 3PE Marion First John Hackmann 1FE Marshall Asbury /Brick Blue Ridge J Michael Robison 31RE McLeansboro First James Peak 12FL Grandview Tawnya Fairchild 4PL Bradford Leet/Boyd's Grove Janice Ringenberg 1PL Metropolis Shalom Renner 2FE Marshall First Richard Lewis 9FE Brimfield Leonard Thomas 10PL Mount Moriah/ Marshall Armstrong Krista Price 6FE Canton South Park/ Pleasant Grove Jimmie D Lambert 6RL Marshall Emmanuel/ Shields’ Chapel Walter Carlson 2RE Murphysboro Larry A Gilbert 9FE Zion Melly Momo 2OE Canton Wesley Bruce Rushing 6FE New Burnside/Taylor Rocio Reyes Williams 7PL Marshall Trinity/ Larry Frank, Jr 3FE Norris City/Shiloh Eugene Turner 3FE Dunlap Stacy Tomich 1PL Chillicothe Ronald R Martz 3FE Olive Branch/Tamms Brent Gordon 9LM Patton Daniel L Garner 15SY Pinckneyville James E Barnett 15FE Crossroads Jason Woolever 2FE Sara Beth Wanck 2PE Powers Mindy Farren 2PL Martinsville Karen Blank-Ewell 3OE Cuba/London Mills Russell Rhodes 1FL Rosiclare Haley E Hausman 6PL Mattoon First Joel Michael Smith 1FE

AF Affiliate Member OF Full Member of other denomination RD Retired Full Member Deacon AM Associate Member LM Certified Lay Minister serving as Supply Pastor, OP Provisional Member of other Annual Conference RE Retired Full Member Elder not appointed DM Diaconal Minister OR Retired Member of other Annual Conference RL Retired Local Pastor LP Other Local Pastor DR Retired Diaconal Minister PD Provisional Deacon RP Retired Probationary or Provisional Member OA Associate Member of other Annual Conference FD Full Member Deacon PE Provisional Elder SP Student Local Pastor OD Deacon Member of other Annual Conference FE Full Member Elder PL Part time Local Pastor SY Supply Pastor, not appointed OE Elder Member of other Annual Conference FL Full time Local Pastor or other Methodist denomination RA Retired Associate Member TBS To Be Supplied 18 Annual Conference Pastoral Appointments & Supply

Centerville/Seymour/ Petrolia Timothy Pearce 2FE White Heath Cindy Rettig 4FE Calhoun/Ebenezer Eunice Glasser 4LM Champaign Faith Sheryl Palmer 2FE Centralia First/ H Shane Smith 2FE Irvington Anita Munden 2FE

JULY 2016 JULY Champaign First Tom Corum 7FE Claremont/ Cathy Minor 5FE Prairieton Jim Majernik 19SY Champaign New Horizon Mark Jordan 7FE Dix/Union Chapel/ JOHN 4:35 Cissna Park/Rankin Molly Spence-Hawk 1FL Garrison Temple Michael Hall 9PL Collison Sally Swaim 6RL Enterprise/West Michael Buckman 8PL Dayspring Native American Countryside/Tolono Alan M Simonson 4FE Fairfield Ellen Moore /East Peoria Faith Danira Parra 2PL Danville Bowman Avenue Zachary LeCrone 1PL Cisne/Johnsonville Deer Creek Keith Blankenship 1LM Danville Farmers Chapel Janice Reeder 6PL Bethel Russell Anderson 2SY Delavan V Eugene Ramsey II 4FE Danville First/ Fairfield First Donna Blythe 3FE Dunlap Prospect Stephen Pichaske 4FE Danville Bowman Avenue Zachary LeCrone 2PL Farina Rob Dillingham 3PE East Peoria First Mary Arnold 9FE Danville Saint James Randall Robinson 6FE Flora First Peter Wehrly 1FE Gabriel Wanck 2FL Justin Snider 6FE Flora Trinity Nancy Myers 3LM Eureka Paul Wier 3FE Donovan/Crescent City Kevin Nourie 2PL Farmington Paul Lee 2OE Fairmount/Fairview/ God’s New Parish: Glasford Ethan Carnes 2PE Georgetown Matt Filicsky 9PL Cornerstone Green Valley First William Meachum 2PL Farmer City/Weedman Jeremiah Thompson 4FE Odin Hanna City/Trivoli Jeremy Lafary 1PE Fisher Fred Sistler 3SY Shattuc Henry/Washburn Richard H Kerr 3FE Fithian/Oakwood/Hebron Leland Legg 2FL Gilead Mark Doane 6AM Kewanee Paul Copeland 6FE Gibson City John Tennyson 5FE R C Merten 5LM Lacon Sparland/Varna Michael J Barclay 4FL Gifford George Desmond 1PL Golden Gate/ LaFayette/West Jersey Gilman/Ashkum Malcolm Jones 2FL Conway James W Steinsultz 44PL Laura/Monica Tim Delaney 3PE Grace Quest Andrew Adams 14FE Grayville/Browns Roger W Boyd 2OE Lewistown Deryck Sonaram 8FE Hindsboro Lenny Summar 1PL Hopewell Mackinaw Shelly Forrest 1FE Homer Teri Shane 4FL Olive Branch Tommy Vaught 4SY Manito Gregory Boylan 1FL Hoopeston/Wellington M Catherine Najmon 2FE Ina/Waltonville Ed Endsley 5OE Maples Mill Jerry Sawyer 13RL Iroquois/Sheldon Vickie Killus 4LM Kinmundy First/Wesley David O Kueker 3FE Morton Gary Motta 5FE Loda Rachel Stockle 2FE Lancaster/Nye Chapel Brad Fausnacht 1PL Lori A Harvey 5FE Ludlow Fred Sistler 1SY Lawrenceville First/Billett Gary Pearce 11FL Mossville Robert Herath 7FE Mahomet John K McIntosh 4FE Lawrenceville Otterbein TBS Mount Pleasant Kathy Sue Barrett 11PL Mansfield Edward Davis 1FE Lawrenceville Zion Tony Reed 4PL Norris/Providence Chapel Deborah Rhodes 3PL Melvin TBS Louisville Duane Ambrose 4RE Pekin First James C McClarey 3FE Middlefork George Desmond 1PL May Chapel Floyd Wood 1SY Pekin Grace Joel P Catlin 1FE Milford Gail Meyers 2LM Mount Carmel Evangelical Jeremy Henson 2FE Pam Cochran 4PL Mount Vernon/Bondville Megan Thompson 3FE Mount Carmel Trinity Terry Weavil 1OF Peoria Bethel Gary J Wilson 3FE Newman/Murdock Joy Starwalt 9OE Mount Vernon Epworth/ Peoria Bradley Epworth Thomas A Eckhardt 28FE Ogden/Broadlands Kathy Murphy 7PL Wayne City/Zion Elton Storey 9FL Peoria First Robert J Phillips 8FE Onarga/Piper City Elizabeth Reis 9AM Mt Vernon First Victor K Long 7FE Adrian Garcia 7FE Paxton John Hauck 2FE Mt Vernon Wesley Phil Poe 5RE Carolyn Carnes 3FE Pesotum Naomi Sue Roberts 2SY Mt Vernon W. Salem Trinity Harold Quick, Jr 2FE Peoria Forrest Hill Curt D Keller 10FE Pleasant Grove TBS Mount Zion/Brown’s Chapel Patti Hanzel 1LM Peoria Northwest Kim E Dancey 2FE Rantoul First Paula Wallace 1FE Tom Hanzel 1LM Peoria University Paul Arnold 9FE Ridge Farm/Indianola David Almy 1LM Olney Parish: Princeville Kenneth D Dees 2AM Roberts Stan Rapp 16RA Olney First RiversEdge Andrew Hopp 3FE Rossville/Bismarck Matthew Stump 1PE Olney Immanuel Kristi Hopp 3FE Sadorus/Parkville Robert Adams 7PL Olney St Paul Donald L Meeks 4FE Saint David/Bryant TBS Saint Joseph Paul Dinges 5AM Michael Lawton 2OE Sheffield Terry Lancaster 3PL Savoy Marc E Brown 3FE Steve Fox 1SY Smithfield Brock/ Shiloh Louella Pence 2RL Parkersburg/Ebenezer/ Locust Lane Ellen Dodd 4PL Sidell Donald Shane 4FL Little Wabash TBS 2SY Texas Raymond P Harrison 15RE Sullivan Charliam Renner 8FE Pinkstaff Chauncy-Landes Tiskilwa Community Tuscola Ted J Mitchell 3FE David Cogdill 8LM Church UM/AB TBS Urbana First Steve R Anderson 2FE Pleasant Grove Eugene Seals 1SY Toulon Sidney E Davis 3FE Urbana Jesus’ Love Ministry Chiyong Oh 2OE Richview Dennis Gambill 9LM Tremont Dan Perry 4FE Urbana Wesley Daniel King Crede 13FE Saint Francisville Deetta M Gaither 4PL Cathy Jean Clark 1PL Miriam Snider 6FE Salem Grace Michael E Ebersohl 6FE Washington Evangelical Camilla Hempstead 2FE Villa Grove Sandra Hire 4FL Salem Trinity/Iuka Terri C Haas 1FL White Chapel/Monterey Rebecca Gearhart 3PL Watseka Robert E Sabo, Jr 3FE Sandoval/Patoka/Boulder Rick Atchley 2FL Willow Hill Kenneth Hogren 18FE Weldon Charles Don Ferrill 4RE Sumner W Shane Frederick 1FL Wyoming/Neponset Rebecca J Klemm 2PE Woodland Sandra Onken 8SY Trinity Charge: Zion Evangelical Edward Newlan 1SY KASKASKIA RIVER DISTRICT Clay City/Harmony/Bethel Jill Bunker 2FL IROQUOIS RIVER DISTRICT District Superintendent – Carol Lakota Eastin 3FE Union Chapel Tony Reed 6PL Vandalia First Terry Westerfield 3FE 1603 Salem Rd, Mount Vernon 62864-2628, 618-242-2817, fax 618-242-2917, District Superintendent – Rose Booker-Jones 3FE West Salem Zion David Ducommon 2FL [email protected], 405 Jay Dr, Mount Vernon 62864-2249, *618-244-0538, 303 S Mattis Ave, Ste 206, Champaign 61821-3070, 217-359-0640, Xenia Bob McNeely 10FL fax 217-359-6255, [email protected], 1403 Glenshire Dr, Champaign [email protected], ( ) = not a mailing address 61822-7701, *217-351-3467, [email protected], ( ) = not a mailing address Adams Corner Eugene Seals 1SY Allerton Clyde Snyder 9RE Albion/Bethel Steve Livengood 3FL LA MOINE RIVER DISTRICT Allendale Deetta M Gaither 6PL Arcola Jeff VanDyke 1FE District Superintendent – C Douglas Rorex 6FE Arthur Bruce Weiman 2FE Alma/Pleasant Grove Cheryl Cain 6LM 102 S Fayette St, Jacksonville 62650-2097, 217-245-9946, fax 217-243-5448, Batestown/Union Corner Patti Wise 21PL Asbury Chapel/Bellmont Vaughn Courter 11LM [email protected], 9 BelAire Ct, Jacksonville 62650-3614, [email protected] Bellflower Louella Pence 8RL Ashley Dennis Gambill 4LM ( ) = not a mailing address Bement Amos Dillman 1SY Beulah Casey Taylor 2FE Bluford Otterbein Jesse Hinds 2SY Camargo Lenny Summar 2PL Ashland/Peter Cartwright Kathryn Herring 2PL Catlin Curtis Flake 3PE Bonnie Katherine Newnam 1SY Astoria/Sheldon's Grove Robert D Greene 3RE Bridgeport / Annual Conference Pastoral Appointments & Supply 19 Please Note: Additional pastoral appointments or changes to charges listed below may be made at any time deemed advisable by the bishop and cabinet - The Book of Discipline, Para 429 THE CURRENT Batchtown Phil Grable 28SY The United Parish: Roger Czaia 3PL Barry Beardstown C Robert Schoolcraft 13AM Hull New Canton Bethel/Grafton TBS Pleasant Hill Bluff Springs Kevin Hembrough 3SY Hamburg Tony Loyd 1FL Bright Star United Methodist Parish: JoAnn Ruff 4PL JOHN 4:35 Griggsville Virden First/Girard Mary Alice Cunningham 7FE New Salem Nashville Grace William Bunnage 2AM Detroit Virginia Carol Stufflebeam 3FE Florence Waverly Amy G Brooks 2FL New Athens Gerald Savage 1RE New Baden Lisa Wiedman 1PL Oxville West Central Charge: O'Fallon First Donald E Long, Jr 1FE Perry Brooklyn Baylis David Kelly 9FE Ebenezer Rebecca Williams 1FE Alvin Laird 20SY Houston Okawville TBS Peg Ratliff 20SY Camden Charles L Peart III 1SY Pocahontas/Panama Adam J Penn 2PE Browning/Sugar Grove Charla J Meyers 3PL Rosewood Hts Saint Paul Daryl A Fansler 17FE Winchester Robin R Lyons 12FE Camp Point/ Shiloh Kenneth D Hutchens 1FE Centennial Ebenezer Sheila Kelly 1FE MISSISSIPPI RIVER DISTRICT Shipman/Dorchester David Paul Melvin 2PL Carlinville Rex E Hendrix 2FE Sparta First Gary Feldman 4FE District Superintendent – Roger L Grimmett 3FE Carrollton/Christ Robert E Sabo, Sr 3RE Staunton Adam Hosmer 1LM 121 Behrens St, Ste 2, O’Fallon 62269-1510, 618-622-3072, fax 618-622-3073, Carthage First Rusty Beals 2FE Steeleville/Percy Marvin (Bud) Bennett 4RA [email protected], 713 Wild Horse Creek Dr, Fairview Heights 62208-2047, Clayton (Federated) TBS Trenton First Mike R Rucker 7FL *618-589-3007, [email protected], ( ) = not a mailing address Concord/Arenzville Randy Azbell 3FL Troy/Worden Saint Jacob Dennis Price 29FE Doddsville David Haney 13SY Alton Grace/Hartford/Elsah Steven Barrett 4PL Wanda Gary Mosimann 2RE Eagle Valley Charge: Alton Main Street Timothy Pate 3FE Waterloo Real Life Alan Abert 4PL Bluffs Debra J Hoertel 3FL Wood River First David E Rose 1PL Naples Lynette DeAtley 1FE Belleville Saint Matthew James K Slone 15FE Faithful Followers: Jon D Carrell 2FE Diaconal Ministers: Beverly Belleville Signal Hill Arthur James Francis 3PL Lebanon Richard Boyd Plainville Belleville Union Harvey K Gaither, III 1FE O'Fallon First Robert Noland Richfield Lois Sorrill 10PL Benld Kevin D Kriesel 2PL Franklin/Durbin Robb Roper 1SY Bethalto William G Pyatt 1FE Greenfield/Rockbridge Mark Milhouse 2FL Brighton Saint Paul Nathan Jeffries 2FL SANGAMON RIVER DISTRICT Hamilton/Warsaw Nicholas Gleason 3FE Bunker Hill Diane Schulte 1LM District Superintendent – Terry P Harter 7FE Havana First Jame Hahs 3FE Carlyle/Huey/Beckemeyer Dean A Beals 1FE (5900 S 2nd St), PO Box 3487, Springfield 62708-3487, 217-529-3257, Fax 217- Industry/Vermont Stephen Grandadosin 3FE Robert Souders 11RE 529-4181, [email protected], 3100 Saint Helen’s Ct, Springfield 62704-6501, Jacksonville Asbury Nancy Wood 13RL Caseyville Joy Caschetta 1AM *217-787-7041, [email protected], ( ) = not a mailing address Jacksonville Centenary/ Chester First A Faye Edmiaston 2LM Jacksonville Brooklyn Jean R Hembrough 7FE Collinsville First Mark Horn 9FL Argenta/Warrensburg Robert Baker 3RE Nancy Wood 4RL Columbia Bethany Allynn Walker 9FE Jennifer Fielden 3PL Jacksonville Grace Donald Jackson 1FE Coulterville/Tilden Kimberly A Allen 1FL Assumption/Findlay/ Jacksonville Wesley Chapel TBS 3FE East Alton First Keith A Michaels 1FE Windsor Rena Whitcher 2FL Jerseyville Robert R Taylor 2FE East Saint Louis Trinity Linda Harris-Cosby 3PL Athens/Cantrall Paulette K Cott 3AM Littleton John Robert Kirkham 3OE Edwardsville Immanuel Jackie Havis-Shear 11FE Auburn Brian Caughlan 7FE Living Faith David Bigley 2FE Edwardsville Saint John’s Troy Benton 2FE Beason/McLean/ Loraine Connie Jenkins 4RA Katherine L Gholson 4FD Waynesville Bill Ramsdale 1FL Manchester TBS Ellis Grove/New Palestine/ Bethel TBS Mount Sterling First/ Preston John P Best 11FE Bissell Donald Goodenow, Jr 2SY Columbus Cecelia Granadosin 4FE Fairview Heights Christ Shane Bishop 20FE Blue Mound Randel Myers 5FL Murrayville Steven M. Smith 2FE Michael Wooton 2PE Buckeye New Hope Dorothy Isaacs 17RL Fairview Hts Prospect Park Karen Oplt 13PL Owaneco/South Fork John Ray 1OR Northwest Parish: Gillespie First Larry R Moreau 1FE Chatham Sara L Isbell 10FE Palmyra Glen Carbon New Bethel Penelope H Barber 1FE Cisco Rick Pierce 3FE Modesto John Chrisler 17PL Godfrey First Steven Friese 1FE Clinton Leanne Noland 2FE Payson Annelle Ruemmler 3FD Granite Cty Dewey Ave Jack Swank 1RE Decatur Central Stanley Evans 1OE Pittsfield Thomas A Wilber 8FE Granite City Nameoki Michael D Rayson 3FL Decatur Christ Kelly Cox 8FL Pleasant Grove/Paloma Sharon Renner 5PL Granite City Niedringhaus Timothy James Wynne 1LM Decatur First Michael W Fender 1FE Granite City Trinity Lisa Guilliams 14FE Stanley Evans 1OE Prairie Mission Cooperative Parish: Greenville First Florene Scott 2FE Decatur Grace Sigurd N Bjorklund 4FE Oakford Highland Hope Beverly Wilkes Null 4FE Beth McLaughlin 4FE Bath Keyesport Carynne Paterson 5LM Decatur Wesley Buzz Swett 10RL Fairview Judy Vidakovich 9FL Lebanon First Kimberly G Hagedorn 1OE Divernon/Pawnee/Thayer Chuck Kurfman 4PE Quincy Melrose Chapel Ronald C George 5FE Litchfield Saint Timothy James O Tinzmann 9FE Easton D Allen Sample 14PL Quincy Union Tim Woodard 4FL Marissa Philip P Gardner 1RE Edinburg/Stonington Caleb McGregor 1FL Quincy Vermont Street Patty Johansen 3FE Maryville Saint Luke’s Robert Roy 2FE Elkhart/New Holland Darrell Howard 7PL Sharon Renner 2PL Mascoutah Bethel Andrew Anthony 2FE Fairview Richard Miles 5RL Rosedale Roger Czaia 3PL Medora/Piasa Chad Cox 4PL Forsyth R Andy Maxwell 2FE Rural John Curtis 20RE Mount Olive/Sorento Thomas Brewer 3RE Fountain of Life Kevin Treptow 3RE Rushville First Grant Armstrong 3FE Mulberry Grove/ Island Grove Jack Joyner 1RL Pleasant Mound Robert Chase 12LM Kenney TBS

AF Affiliate Member OF Full Member of other denomination RD Retired Full Member Deacon AM Associate Member LM Certified Lay Minister serving as Supply Pastor, OP Provisional Member of other Annual Conference RE Retired Full Member Elder not appointed DM Diaconal Minister OR Retired Member of other Annual Conference RL Retired Local Pastor LP Other Local Pastor DR Retired Diaconal Minister PD Provisional Deacon RP Retired Probationary or Provisional Member OA Associate Member of other Annual Conference FD Full Member Deacon PE Provisional Elder SP Student Local Pastor OD Deacon Member of other Annual Conference FE Full Member Elder PL Part time Local Pastor SY Supply Pastor, not appointed OE Elder Member of other Annual Conference FL Full time Local Pastor or other Methodist denomination RA Retired Associate Member TBS To Be Supplied 20 Annual Conference Pastoral Appointments & Supply Point Pleasant Amy Holman 1FL VERMILION RIVER DISTRICT John Douglas 15LM Colchester/Hills Grove Mark R Smith 6FL District Superintendent – Leah R Pogemiller 6FE Colona Sandy Bunnell 7FE 210 W Water St, Ste 2, Pontiac 61764-1790, 815-844-3530, fax 815-844-6583, JULY 2016 JULY Colusa/Appanoose Yoked David Poland 8OF [email protected], 1801 W Bob O Link Dr, Pontiac 61764-9370, 815-370-4030, East Moline Christ Roger Perry 7FE [email protected], ( ) = not a mailing address Joye Perry 7PL Aroma Park Valerie Mezger Wengstrom 2PL JOHN 4:35 Elmwood Bradley Watkins 4FE Atlanta/Ebenezer Fairfield Larry Misfeldt 7PL Lincoln First Michael Paulson 5FE Hopedale Mike Abel 2FE Brad Curtis 1PL Fairview Center Mark R Canada 2FE Bloomington Wesley/ Loami Donald Peck 17OF Galesburg Faith Norman Mendell 6RA Bloomington Park Vaughn A Hoffman 13FE Long Creek/Dalton City Anthony Paulson 5FE Galesburg First Vince Rohn 1FE Angie Eunjoo Lee 2FE Maroa Nicholas B Showalter 4FE TBS Bloomington-Normal Hope Jennifer Edwards Bertrand 5FE Mason City/San Jose Charles E McDonald 1FE Galva Grace Karen Martin 6RA Bonfield/Grand Prairie Parish: Middletown Robert Ervin 10RL Geneseo First-Cambridge Multisite: Bonfield First Monticello Jeff Bealmear 2FE Bonfield Evangelical Geneseo First/ Morrisonville Dayle Badman 7PL Genesco New Church Start/ Grand Prairie Mel Nielsen 6FL Mount Auburn Robert Cook 6PL Bourbonnais Grace Cmmnty Mary M Brady 5FE Cambridge Christopher M Ritter 8FE Mount Pulaski First Gerald Aloran 3FL Braceville Bennett A Woods 4PL Chestnut/Latham Zoila Marty 2PE Rick A McDaniel 2SY Bradley Wesley Julie Smith 4FE Mount Zion/Bethany Ted A Hartley 4FE Geneseo Grace Melva Graham England 4FE Chatsworth/Forrest Roosevelt Smith II 3FE Moweaqua/Sanner Chapel Patricia L Allin 3FE Mark England Graham 4FE Chenoa Deborah Honegger 3PL Niantic/Illiopolis C W Reneker, Jr 13RA Coal City Bradley D Shumaker 2FE Greater Annawan Parish: Cornell / Okaw River Parish: Annawan Community United Church of Odell Janeen Tronc 1PL Cerro Gordo Fairview/Hooppole Zion Dan Wright 16FE Lovington Downs Kenneth P Burgard 5FE Hammond Henderson/ Dwight Lance Leeds 6FE LaPlace James Allison 2FL North Henderson Jeffrey Uddin 2LM El Paso Becky Barrow 1AM Larry Bricker 1RL Hillsdale Randy Rutledge 9PL Essex David Prussner 2SY Pana Amanda Richards 1FE Illinois City/Pine Bluff Steve Hartman 1RE Linda Michel 2SY Fairbury First Ann Champion 1FE Petersburg John Vidakovich 9FE Kirkwood/Smithshire Peggy Kulczewski 6PL Grand Ridge/Long Point Lon Alderman 10PL Prairieview Parish: Knoxville Chet Travis 1RE Herscher/Reddick/ Elwin LaHarpe/Durham/ South Wilmington Kevin Boesen 5FE Macon Terre Haute Jim Clayton 6PL Zion Chapel Randy McGeehon 9AM Heyworth Linda Vonck 1FE Matthew Stevens 1PL La Moine River Parish: Hudson Scott Carnes 3FE Sally Hamon 1RE Good Hope/Jerusalem Delbert Pancake 4FE Kankakee Asbury Scott Henley 4FE Kent Bangert 1SY Loraine Jeffrey Haley 1FE Kankakee Saint Mark Dalene Kuebler 4FE Raymond Community of Faith Larry Moslener 5OF Katherine E Crozier 7FD Kankakee Trinity/ Riverton First John Cross 2FE Macomb Korean Fellowship Jungil Rhee 6FE Bradley Evangelical Miranda Dinges 2FL Rochester Kathleen Bueker Sweet 5FE Macomb Wesley Howard White 6FE LeRoy Eric Swanson 3FE Jungil Rhee 6FE Sharon Pablo Marty 2PE Lexington First Garry E Gromley 8FE Manantial de Vida Juan Carlos Lara-Cardoso 15PL Sherman Craig M Sweet 5FE Manteno Joy Schlesselman 1FE Maquon/Douglas/ Mazon Karen Fabian 2SY Springfield Asbury William Burton 20OF Orange Chapel Krey Leesman 3PE McDowell David Meader 1SY Springfield Cotton Hill Sharon Treptow 3FE Maxey Chapel Russell D Collister 6PL Minonk/Wenona St John’s Donna Baker 4RL Springfield Douglas Ave Julia Melgreen 12FE Milan Trinity/Green River Jon Warren 1FL Momence/Grant Park Alberto Ramirez Salazar 1OE Margaret Ann Jessup 3PE Mineral Terry Lancaster 24PL Springfield First Roger Ross 10FE Moline Bethel Wesley Timothy J Gossett 2FL New Hope Parish: Michael Whitaker 4FE Hennepin Nicole Cox 3FE Moline Riverside William Adams 1FE Monmouth First Jon Ermal Sims 12FE Magnolia Springfield Grace/ McNabb Kristi Hopp 3FE Springfield Kumler Robert K Freeman 5FE Nauvoo Mark Hendrickson 3PL Normal Calvary Randy Reese 3FE Cory Blackwell 4FD Neighbors In Christ Parish: Deborah Reese 3FE Springfield Jerome/ Galva First/Bishop Hill Trisha Chapman 1FL Normal First Kent King-Nobles 1FE New Salem Donn Stephens 1SY Oquawka/Gladstone/ Kathy King-Nobles 1FE Biggsville Howard Ross 1PL Springfield Laurel Kent Lolling 3FE Kimberly Burke 3FD Sugar Creek Allen W Miller 6FE Orion David R Schultz 11FE Normal Morningstar/ Taylorville Rebecca B Lembke 6FE Port Byron First Jim Crozier 1FL Bloomington W Olive Faith Tiffany Black 3FE Robert Cook 2PL Rebecca Butterfield 2PD Stephanie Soon 2FD Williamsville Richard F Piscatelli 11RE Reynolds/Taylor Ridge Paul Newhall 4FE Nueva Jerusalem Juan Angel Rosales 9PL Rock Island Two Rivers Robb McCoy 3FE Pontiac First Thomas Goodell 2FE SPOON RIVER DISTRICT Roseville/Swan Creek Dennis Powers 2FE Ransom/Verona Mary McQuilkin 2PL Silvis Joye Perry 4PL Ritchey Beverly Dehler 6SY District Superintendent – Sylvester Weatherall 5FE Stronghurst/Carman Karna Peterson 3PL Roanoke/Secor Charles Graul 4PE 120 N Kellogg St, Galesburg 61401-4785, 309-344-1435, fax 309-344-1161, Saunemin Jane Bradford 9PL [email protected], 2184 Catherine St, Galesburg IL 61401-1402, *309-344-2046, Twin Rivers Cooperative Parish: Saybrook Wesbein Wayne C Giermann 2LM [email protected], ( ) = not a mailing address Carbon Cliff Streator First Jerry Haley 6FE Church of the Cross Chet McCoy 12PL Abingdon Nancy Wilson 1FE Hampton Grace John Knueppel 1LM Three Rivers Parish: Ellsworth/Cropsey/ Aledo Mark Harris 5FE Victoria Russell Theobald 6PL Colfax/Pleasant Grove Gifty Smith 3FD Alpha Zackary T Glenn 2PE Viola/Preemption Terry Evans 3FL Steven Barrow 1RL Altona/Oneida David Pyell 9FL Walnut Grove Dean Reeverts 1OF Tonica/Lostant/Richland Mary Nowakowski 5FL Blandinsville Don Riley 9RE Westmer Larger Parish: Trinity UM Parish: Burnside William I Deisher 12RA Joy/Eliza Community/ Cabery/Cullom/Kempton Jonathon Brashear 2PL Bushnell/Avon/ New Boston Beth Nelson 8FE New Philadelphia/ Williamsfield/Dahinda Jennifer Seder 6FE Annual Conference Pastoral Appointments & Supply 21 Please Note: Additional pastoral appointments or changes to charges listed below may be made at any time deemed advisable by the bishop and cabinet - The Book of Discipline, Para 429 THE CURRENT APPOINTMENTS TO EXTENSION MINISTRIES Wesley UMC, Urbana Kathleen S Lossau - 2 FE Baltimore-Washington A. WITHIN THE CONNECTIONAL STRUCTURES OF UNITED METHODISM Richard A VanGiesen - 21 FE Conference Treasurer and Director of Administrative Services, Springfield; CC: Laurel UMC, Glen Robyne - 10 FE Indiana Conference (Paragraph 331.1b, 344.1a, c) Springfield Keith E Anderson - 10 FE Lana Robyne - 10 FE Indiana Conference Sylvester Weatherall - 5 FE Executive Director, The Preachers’ Aid Society, Springfield; CC: Chatham UMC APPOINTED TO ATTEND SCHOOL (Paragraph 416.6) Superintendent, Spoon River District, Galesburg Rose Booker-Jones - 3 FE None Superintendent, Iroquois River District, Champaign B. TO EXTENSION MINISTRIES UNDER ENDORSEMENT BY GEN- Michael J Crawford - 11 FE DEACONESS AND HOME MISSIONARY APPOINTMENTS ERAL BOARD OF HIGHER EDUCATION & MINISTRY, DIVISION OF (Paragraph 1314.3) Coordinator of Congregational Development, Springfield; CC: Quincy Vermont Street UMC ORDAINED MINISTRY, SECTION OF CHAPLAINS (Paragraph 344.1b, c) Melissa Iutzi Calvillo Daniel King Crede - 6 FE Bruce Baumberger - 10 FE Maternal-Child Health Coordinator, Lee County Health Department; CC: Carthage UMC Director, Wesley Foundation at University of Illinois, Urbana; CC: Wesley UMC, Chaplain, Alton Memorial Hospital, Alton; CC: First UMC, Godfrey Carol Clay Mann Urbana Rebekah Dees-McMahon - 15 FE Teacher, Lewis County C-1 Schools, Quincy; CC: Melrose Chapel UMC, Quincy Kelligay King Crede - 11 FE Therapist, Freedom House; CC: Sheffield UMC Chaplain, Cunningham Children’s Home, Urbana; CC: Wesley UMC, Urbana Steve Heitkamp - 9 FE INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPATION OF CLERGY IN ARMED FORCES Kathy Crozier - 3 FD Horizon Hope Counseling, Inc, Belleville; CC: Union UMC, Belleville RESERVE OR NATIONAL GUARD UNITS (Paragraph 344.5e) Vocational Discernment Coordinator; CC: Loraine UMC, Prophetstown Linda A Horrell - 10 FE Phillip L Glick, US Naval Reserve (Retired) Julie Dowler - 4 FD Clinical Director, Center for Counseling and Pastoral Care, Manchester, MO; CC: Robert D Greene, US Air Force Reserve Associate Director, Wesley Foundation at University of Illinois, Urbana; CC: Saint John’s UMC, Edwardsville F Jerry Herring, Civil Air Patrol Wesley UMC, Urbana Patsy Kelly - 9 FE Kristi Hopp, Air National Guard Carol Lakota Eastin - 3 FE Chaplain, Passavant Hospital, Jacksonville James D Johnson, Air National Guard Superintendent, Kaskaskia River District, Mount Vernon Brian L Manigold - 8 FE Jack Swank, US Army Reserve Jennifer Edwards Bertrand - 11 FE Staff Chaplain, Veterans Admin Illiana Health Care Systems, Danville; CC: St. Danny D Wright, Army National Guard James UMC, Bloomington Director, Wesley Foundation at Illinois State University, Normal; CC: First UMC, OTHER CLERGY APPROVED BY THE ENDORSING AGENCY FOR Normal Lauren M Padgett - 9 FE Brad Fausnacht - 1FL Chaplain, Harbor Light Hospice, Peoria; CC: Dayspring UMC, East Peoria VARIOUS CATEGORIES OF VOLUNTEER CHAPLAINCY AND SPECIAL- Chaplain, United Methodist Village, Lawrenceville John D Read - 33 FE IZED MINISTRY: Beth Fender - 8 FD Command Chaplain for the South Command, US Army; CC: Good Shepherd Glen Bocox, Fire Department Coordinator of New Streams, Springfield; CC: Grace UMC, Jacksonville UMC, Granite City James D Johnson, Police Department Ted Frost - 12 FE Charles Shelquist - 7 FE Steve Livengood, Fire Chaplain Director, United Methodist Foundation, Springfield; CC: Chatham UMC Chaplain, Western Maryland Health System; CC: Westfield UMC Mike Mayfield, Specialized (Emergency) Adrian M Garcia - 14 FE Margaret E Siemer - 14 FE James Michael Robison, General Hospital Coordinator, Conference Hispanic Ministries; CC: First UMC, Peoria Chaplain, US Navy; CC: First UMC, Springfield Jon Sims, Fire Dept & Police Dept Janice L Griffith - 5 FE Brian G Storey - 15 FE Jack Swank, Fire Department Executive Assistant to the Bishop, Illinois Area Office, Springfield Director and Pastoral Counselor, Interfaith Counseling Center, Inc, Edwardsville; Patrick Wadsworth, Police Department Roger Grimmett - 3 FE CC: Saint John’s UMC, Edwardsville James C Williams, Veterans Affairs David Wence - 12 FE Superintendent, Mississippi River District, O’Fallon DIACONAL MINISTER IN EXTENSION MINISTRIES Scott Grulke - 3 FE Pastoral Counselor, Decatur Psychological Associates, Decatur; CC: Grace UMC, Decatur Carter L Frank Superintendent, Embarras River District, Effingham High Technology Services Group, Engility Corporation, Clarendon, VA Bruce Timothy Harrison - 19 FE Mary S Whetstone - 5 FE Chaplain/Director of Church Relations, McKendree University, Lebanon; CC: Staff Chaplain, Ohio Health, Columbus, OH; CC: First UMC, Carmi CERTIFIED IN CHRISTIAN COMMUNICATION Lebanon UMC C. OTHER VALID MINISTRIES UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF Paul Black Terry P Harter - 7 FE PARAGRAPH 331.1A,C, 331.4, 344.1D CERTIFIED IN CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Superintendent, Sangamon River District, Springfield Beth Fender Mark Hendrickson - 1PL Nicole Ross Bishop - 1 PD Cheryl Hendrix Director, Wesley Foundation at Western Illinois University; CC: Nauvoo UMC Quad Cities Chrysalis Community Barbara Horsch Matthew S Henson - 9 FE Lori L Bultemeier - 11 FD General Evangelist, Living the Adventure; CC: Albion UMC Christian Life Coordinator, The Baby Fold, Normal; CC: Calvary UMC, Normal CERTIFIED IN EVANGELISM Craig C Hill - 7 FE Stephen Lee Busick - 9 FD Linda Harrod Research Professor of Theological Pedagogy, Duke Divinity School, Durham, NC; Klein & Busick Christian Counseling Services, Champaign; CC: Quest UMC, CC: First UMC, Peoria Champaign CERTIFIED IN MUSIC Ed Hoke - 2 FE Rebecca M Butterfield - 2 PD Janna Peterson Minister of Mission Expansion at Little Grassy Camp Ann's Helping Hands, Volunteer; CC: First UMC, Port Byron Constance White Guennewig Gary D Livesay - 28 FE Dixie Croxton - 2 PL CERTIFIED IN SPIRITUAL FORMATION Chaplain, Chaddock School, Quincy; CC: Vermont Street UMC, Quincy Advocacy Network for Children; CC: West Central Charge, LRD Beth Fender Thomas R Logsdon - 3 FE Katherine L Gholson - 4 FD Sharon Colbert Garretson Director of Connectional Ministries, Springfield; CC: Chatham UMC Volunteer Coordinator, The Family Treehouse, Granite City; CC: Saint John’s UMC, Linda Harrod Mary Kathryn Pearce - 4 FE Edwardsville Mary Ann Hedges Superintendent, Illinois River District, Peoria Robert S. Kirby - 4 PD Leah R Pogemiller - 6 FE Campus Minister, United Campus Ministry, Montana State University, Billings, CERTIFIED IN YOUTH MINISTRY Superintendent, Vermilion River District, Pontiac MT; CC: Wesley UMC, Urbana John M Hauck Jeffrey A Rasche - 13 FE Leon D McClimans - 13 FE Associate Director of Stewardship, Chaddock School, Quincy; CC: Camp Point UMC IGRC MEMBERS SERVING AS GBGM MISSIONARIES OUTSIDE THE U.S. Christian Counseling Center, Inc, Tinley Park; CC: Gilman UMC Paige L Roberts - 13 FE Priscilla Jaiah Debra Olsson - 4 FD Campus Minister, Wesley Foundation at Eastern Illinois University, Charleston; Connie Wieck Volunteer, OSF Hospice/CASA of Peoria County, Peoria; CC: First UMC, Peoria CC: Wesley UMC, Charleston Stephanie Soon - 4 FD C Douglas Rorex - 6 FE IGRC MEMBERS SERVING AS GBGM MISSIONARIES IN THE U.S. Advocate BroMenn Hospice Chaplain, Normal UM; CC: West Olive Faith UMC, Superintendent, LaMoine River District, Jacksonville Sally Wisner-Ott Bloomington Roger W Russell - 6 FE RETIRED IGRC MISSIONARIES THAT SERVED IN THE UNITED STATES Superintendent, Cache River District, Marion Douglas Stewart - 2 FD Beatrice Orrell Alice J Shirley - 6 FE Chief Chaplain, Belleville Memorial Hospital; CC: Saint Matthew UMC, Belleville Coordinator of Camping & Retreat Ministries, Springfield; CC: Laurel UMC, Paul Stroble, Jr - 5 FE RETIRED IGRC GBGM MISSIONARIES THAT SERVED OUTSIDE THE U.S. Webster University, Saint Louis, Missouri; CC: First UMC, Vandalia Springfield Marynell Kirkwood Kim Stuby - 2 FD APPOINTED IN OTHER ANNUAL CONFERENCES AND OTHER METH- Janet McCarty Minister of Mission Expansion at East Bay Camp; CC: Main Street UMC, Alton Rev Paul and Rachel McCleary ODIST DENOMINATIONS (Paragraph 346.1) Karen Westerfield Tucker - 13 FE Sally Morris Sonia Alvarado - 2 FE Southwest Texas Conference Professor of Worship, Boston University School of Theology, Boston, MA; CC: Rev Kim and Marjorie Soon

AF Affiliate Member OF Full Member of other denomination RD Retired Full Member Deacon AM Associate Member LM Certified Lay Minister serving as Supply Pastor, OP Provisional Member of other Annual Conference RE Retired Full Member Elder not appointed DM Diaconal Minister OR Retired Member of other Annual Conference RL Retired Local Pastor LP Other Local Pastor DR Retired Diaconal Minister PD Provisional Deacon RP Retired Probationary or Provisional Member OA Associate Member of other Annual Conference FD Full Member Deacon PE Provisional Elder SP Student Local Pastor OD Deacon Member of other Annual Conference FE Full Member Elder PL Part time Local Pastor SY Supply Pastor, not appointed OE Elder Member of other Annual Conference FL Full time Local Pastor or other Methodist denomination RA Retired Associate Member TBS To Be Supplied 22 Annual Conference Ordination & Commissioning JULY 2016 JULY

Photos by Paul Black Pictured from top left: Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton and associate member Elizabeth Reis. Upper right: Provisional elders Timothy Delaney, Krey Leesman, Nicholas Jordan, Curtis Flake, Bishop Keaton, Charles Graul, Charles Kurfman, Sarah Beth Wanck and Erin Totten. Far left: Bishop Keaton and provisional deacon Nicole Ross Bishop. Left: Elders M. Catherine Najmon, Eugene Turner, Bishop Keaton, Larry Frank, Jr. and Stephen Granadosin.

We have this ministry…all of us BY PAUL BLACK into controlled airspace near Los PEORIA –Bishop B. Angeles International Airport. His Michael Watson reminded flight was widely reported. those gathered for the Service of When “Lawnchair Larry” Ordination and Commissioning landed and was asked why he did that all are called to be God’s it, he said, “Well, you can’t just sit ambassadors. t h e re .” “Ministry is the calling of Watson said ministry is an the baptized. Ministry is for us invitation to adventure. “You get to all,” Watson said. do something grand and glorious With selected verses of II and you won’t just be sitting there.” Corinthians 4 and 5, Watson The ultimate purpose for explained that baptism marks ministry, Watson said, was to be the beginning of being a minister of Jesus Christ. the answer to the prayer of Jesus “Among the baptized, there are those set a part “so that we may be one, reconciled to God.” for some particular ministry,” Watson said to those “Our broken relationships cripple our witness,” ordinands and those being commissioned. “You are Watson said, noting that he wonders if having General being called to do something remarkable and something Conference in the same year as presidential elections that the world needs.” compounds the difficulty in being reconciled to God. Bishop Watson told the story of Larry Watkins, who “With presidential elections, folks already have a in 1982, attached 45 weather balloons to a lawn chair heightened posture,” he said. “It is not usually a time of and rose to an altitude of over 15,000 feet (4,600 m) and reconciliation and when you mix religion and politics, floated from his point of origin in San Pedro, California, you get politics.” Annual Conference 23 THE CURRENT HONORS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 expanded, changed and grown the programs and Strassheim was contacted by the board of the Both Kreeb and Strassheim were part of the forma- services provided to assist clients in meeting their United Methodist Children’s Home in Mt. Vernon tion of the Illinois Great Rivers Alliance, a coopera- full potential. He works closely with the agency’s and asked to serve as an interim executive director tive effort of the four social service agencies for board and community leaders to provide quality of the facility. children in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference. programs and services. “I found the people in Mt. Vernon were exception- Gay Crede The state’s budget stalemate has crippled the agen- ally good people and I felt I could give them what Gay Crede provides support to Cun- cy who laid off 117 employees April 30. The agency they needed at that time,” he said. “Looking back, it ningham Home’s children, youth and borrowed $500,000 to bridge the gap for as long as was one of the most memorable things I have done familes during times of crisis as well they could and layoffs were seen as a last resort. in my entire career.” as leadership during times of com- “It is a difficult time with the budget stalemate, but Coming to the Baby Fold in 2002, Strassheim was munity celebration. I believe that ministry will continue with the help able to expand adoption preservation services Participation in the spiritual services is optional and of our partners in ministry to make that happen,” through the Keeping the Promise program; open services are tailored to the unique needs of indi- Kreeb said. and expand Hammitt High School; and expand pre- vidual clients. Spiritual services can include pastoral vention and early intervention programs through counseling, group story time, Bible study, staff Dale Strassheim Healthy Start Former Baby Fold CEO Dale Stras- devotions, memorials and community celebrations. He was also honored by the United Methodist Asso- sheim pulled double duty upon his Crede also assists young people in accessing reli- ciation as Child, Youth and Family Services Adminis- retirement in July 2015. gious communities and support networks in the trator of the Year was The Baby Fold was recognized local community. “As I said at the time, I wasn’t retiring, by EAGLE Accreditation Commission with the Best I was re-allocating,” Strassheim said. “I feel I needed Practice Award for its Quality Initiative program. to stay involved because life is an ongoing ministry.”

LIGHT CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11 PICTORIAL REVIEW Easter Sunday. They recently began a youth ministry. ing Dreams Possible will be preparing students for the Batchtown UMC, on the tip of a peninsula between future, to serve our Lord and to change the world. What we the Illinois and the Mississippi River was averaging 11 in share will be changing lives and making disciples for Jesus worship a few years ago and is now averaging 26. Christ long after we have left this earth. And conference wide we are making dreams possible Either what or to whom do we direct our hearts and on an entire continent by creating an endowment to pro- souls and life’s blood? If we want to share the light, then we vide scholarships at Africa University. The money we give, must focus on the light. And that light is the Good News whether it is a dollar or a thousand dollars, doesn’t end with with which we have been entrusted. It is the light which our giving it. It is not one and done. The money becomes shines in every darkness…and no darkness can ever put it part of an endowment which is used again and again and out. The light is our Lord by which everything else pales in again to provide 8 scholarships each and every year. Mak- comparison. 24 NCJ 2016 JULY 2016 JULY 2016 NCJ Conference TENTATIVE AGENDA (as of February 1, 2016)

Sunday & Monday, July 10 & 11: 10:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Nominee Forums College of Bishops Meeting 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Balloting (various ballots and report of ballots throughout) Tuesday, July 12 Spot Conversations as Needed 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Committee on Episcopacy Celebrations of Ministry 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Committee on Nominations 12:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Recess / Lunch 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Information and Registration Desk Open 1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m Episcopal Address – Bishop Deborah L. Kiesey 6:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. Reception for Bishops 2:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Balloting (Various ballots and 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Episcopal Nominee Forum sponsored by Black reporting of ballots throughout) Methodist for Church Renewal (BMCR) Committee on Nominations Report Wednesday, July 13 Other Jurisdictional Business Items 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Information and Registration Desk Open Celebrations of Ministry 10:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Opening Service of Worship – 4:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. Recognition of Retirement Service Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton (Offering to be taken for Imagine No Malaria) 11:45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Recess / Lunch 5:15 p.m. Recess & proceed to “Peoria Under the Stars” 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Opening Business Session at Peoria Riverfront Museum Welcome 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. “Peoria Under the Stars” Dinner Roll Call 7:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Reception of Retiring Bishops and Spouses at the Lobby of Peoria Riverfront Museum Confirmation of Jurisdictional Committees and Secretarial Staff 8:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Recess / Proceed to Peoria Civic Center Committee on Rules of Order 8:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Balloting (various ballots and report of ballots throughout) Committee on Episcopacy Spot Conversations as Needed Committee on Elections Celebrations of Ministry From this point forward the agenda becomes fluid with balloting, reporting of the same, taking prece- 10:00 p.m. Recess dence. Cycles of balloting will be interspersed with the business of the jurisdiction, spot conversations Friday, July 15 as needed, and Celebrations of Ministry. The Cele- 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m Information Desk Open brations of Ministry will highlight various ministries 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Morning Prayers – Informal Gatherings for Prayer of funded jurisdictional agencies and noteworthy 9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Service of Worship – Bishop John L. Hopkins ministries across the jurisdiction. 10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Recess / Break 2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. First Ballot 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m Balloting (various ballots and Report of First Ballot report of ballots throughout) Introductions based on the First Ballot NCJ Business 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Nominee Forums Celebrations of Ministry 4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Delegation Meetings 12:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Recess / Lunch 5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Second Ballot 1:45 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. NCJ Business 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Recess / Dinner Celebrations of Ministry 7:45 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Balloting (Various ballots and reporting 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Area Dinners (as desired) of ballots throughout) 8:00 p.m. Consecration Service Rehearsal at Peoria First UMC NCJ Mission Council Report

NCJ Treasurer Report Saturday, July 16: Spot Conversations as Needed 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Information Desk Open 9:45 p.m. Delegation Meetings 8:00 a.m. Bus Service to Peoria First UMC Begins 10:30 p.m. Recess 10:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Service of Consecration – Bishop Michael J. Coyner, Preaching Thursday, July 14 Bishop Linda Lee, Service Coordinator 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m Information and Registration Desk Open Bishop Anne Sherer-Simpson, 8:30 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. Morning Prayers – Informal Gatherings for Prayer Council of Bishops Rep. 9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Service of Worship – Bishop Hee-Soo Jung 11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Reception for New Bishops at Peoria First UMC 10:15 a.m. – 10 30 a.m. Recess / Break 10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Ballot and Report of Ballot 25 THE CURRENT

Rev. Armando C. Rev. Dr. David Rev. Dr. Frank Rev. Kennetha J. Rev. Dr. Charles Rev. Susan Rev. Dr. Jerome Arellano Bard Beard Bigham-Tsai Boayue Brown DeVine

Rev. Dr. Lillian Rev. Dr. Gary Rev. Laurie Rev. Dr. Tracy Rev. David W. Rev. Dr. Samuel J. Rev. Dr. Barrie Rev. Sylvester Gallo Seagren George Haller Smith Malone Meredith Royappa Tritle Weatherall Crowded candidate field vies for four College of Bishop vacancies BY PAUL BLACK within the conference: West Michigan Chapter Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA); PEORIA – A field of at least 15 candidates will be Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA); Justice for Our Neighbors, West Michigan Con- offered for election to jurisdictional delegates when United Methodist Black Clergy of Michigan; ference; The Fellowship of Local Pastors and As- the North Central Jurisdiction gathers July 13-16 at NCJ Committee on Native American Ministries; sociate Members, Detroit Annual Conference; the Peoria Civic Center. Michigan Area Black Methodists for Church United Methodist Michigan Area Hispanic/La- Renewal; The Fellowship of Local Pastors and tino Ministries; and Detroit Conference Chapter Fifteen candidates have filed the formal paperwork Associate Ministers of the Detroit Annual of the Methodist Federation of Social Action. at press time June 15 with 11 days to go before the Conference; Black Clergy Women of The United filing deadline. • Rev. Dr. Tracy Smith Malone serves currently Methodist Church; and the Training & Equip- as the Chicago Southern District Superinten- Profiles on all of the candidates can be viewed at ping African-Americans for Ministry (T.E.A.M.) dent in the Northern Illinois Conference. She the North Central Jurisdiction’s website by visiting: of the Detroit Annual Conference has been endorsed by the Northern Illinois An- http://www.ncjumc.org/ncj-2016-3/episcopal- • Rev. Dr. Charles Boayue is superintendent of nual Conference; Chicago Black Methodists for nominations/. There each candidate has complet- the Detroit Renaissance District of the Detroit Church Renewal; National Black Clergy Women ed paperwork which will give delegates a sense of Conference. A native Liberian, Boayue has the of The UMC; Fellowship of Asian Americans their leadership and vision for the church. endorsement of the Detroit Annual Conference of Northern Illinois Conference; Gammon A candidate forum sponsored by the Black Method- as well as several other caucus groups: United Theological Seminary National Alumni Associa- ists for Church Renewal will be held at 7 p.m. July Methodist Black Clergy of Michigan; Training tion; Black United Methodist Pastors (BUMP) 12 before the first ballot is cast at 2:30 p.m. July 13. and Equipping African-Americans for Ministry of Northern Illinois Conference; and United All of the worship and plenary sessions will be at (TEAM) of Michigan; and the Michigan Area Methodist Women (UMW) of Northern Illinois the Peoria Civic Center. Live streaming of plenaries Black Methodists for Church Renewal. Conference. and worship by visiting: www.igrc.org/ncj2016live • Rev. Susan Brown is pastor of the Canfield • Rev. David W. Meredith is pastor of Clifton In order to be elected, a candidate must receive 60 UMC in the East Ohio Conference and is the UMC and Director of Urban Ministry for the percent of the valid ballots cast in any round of vot- endorsed candidate for the East Ohio Confer- Ohio River Valley District of the West Ohio ing. Voting continues until there are four elections ence Clergywomen. Conference. Meredith made national headlines to fill the vacancies left by retirement. • Rev. Dr. Jerome DeVine is Director of Con- just prior to General Conference when he mar- A Service of Consecration of the four new bishops nectional Ministries for the Detroit Conference. ried his same-sex partner and announced his will be held on Saturday, July 16 at 10 a.m., at Peo- He has been endorsed by: United Methodist candidacy for the episcopacy. ria First UMC. Black Clergy of Michigan; Detroit Conference • Rev. Dr. Samuel J. Royappa is the Director Here’s a quick brief bio on each of the announced Committee on Asian American Ministries; Na- of Connectional Ministries for the Wisconsin candidates: tive American Course of Study Advisory Board; Annual Conference. He has been endorsed NCJ Committee on Native American Ministries; by several caucus groups within Wisconsin: • Rev. Armando C. Arellano is pastor of East T.E.A.M. [Training and Equipping African-Amer- National Federation of Asian American United Shore United Methodist Church, Euclid, Ohio, icans for Ministry], Detroit Annual Conference; Methodists (NFAAUM); Asian Caucus of Wis- in the East Ohio Conference. Arellano served in and Korean Caucus of Michigan consin Annual Conference; Wisconsin Black the Philippines Annual Conference prior to his Methodists for Church Renewal; Wisconsin Eth- transfer to East Ohio in 2000. • Rev. Dr. Lillian Gallo Seagren, conference superintendent of the Southeast District of the nic Local Church Committee; Executive Team of • Rev. Dr. David Bard is the lead pastor of First Iowa Conference, is the endorsed candidate of the Wisconsin Conference UMW; and Wisconsin UMC in Duluth, Minn. Bard was the last can- the National Association of Filipino American Hispanic/Latino Caucus Affirmation. didate remaining in 2008 when Bishop Julius United Methodists and one of two candidates • Rev. Dr. Barrie Tritle is pastor of First UMC in Trimble was elected. He is endorsed by the endorsed by the 2016 Iowa Annual Conference. Iowa City, Iowa Conference. He is one of two Minnesota Annual Conference and the Minne- candidates to have received the endorsement sota delegation. • Rev. Dr. Gary George currently serves as Assis- tant to the Bishop in the East Ohio Conference, of the Iowa Annual Conference as well as the • Rev. Dr. Frank Beard is pastor of the Castleton is the endorsed candidate of the East Ohio endorsement of the Iowa Korean Caucus. UMC in Indianapolis, Ind. He is the endorsed Annual Conference • Rev. Sylvester Weatherall, Spoon River Dis- candidate of the Indiana Annual Conference. • Rev Laurie Haller, pastor of First UMC in trict Superintendent, is the endorsed candidate • Rev. Kennetha J. Bigham-Tsai is district su- Birmingham, Mich., in the Detroit Conference, of both the Illinois Great Rivers Conference perintendent of the East Lansing District, West was also a 2008 candidate. She is one of two delegation and the endorsed candidate of the Michigan Conference. She is one of two candi- candidates endorsed by the West Michigan 2016 Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference. dates endorsed by West Michigan Conference Annual Conference; the West Michigan Chapter and has the endorsement of several groups TM

As the nation’s leading insurer of religious institutions, we offer our policyholders access to the industry’s most robust network of strategic connections. Our partnerships offer the specialized insight and services you need to succeed in your mission — and you can’t get them anywhere else. When it comes to protecting your people, your property and the traditions you hold dear, you’ll fi nd we’re more than an insurer. We’re a partner who helps you serve the greater good.

Make a strategic connection today. Call (800) 554-2642 or visit www.churchmutual.com.

The Illinois Great Rivers Conference has chosen Church Mutual as its recommended property and liability insurance company.

Church Mutual is the only religious insurance specialist to be named to the prestigious 2015 Ward’s 50 Top Performing Property & Casualty Insurers.

© 2016 Church Mutual Insurance Company

cmu006856_TheCurrent10x14.indd 1 6/3/16 12:06 PM