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2016 February Current FEBRUARY 2016 • VOL. 20 NO. 8 FEATURED: United Methodists open door for disaster response PAGES 8-9 INSIDE 9 THIS ISSUE News from the Episcopal Office 1 Events & Announcements 2 Christian Conversations 3 Local Church News 4-5 Higher Education 6-7 Featured Story 8-9 Apportionments 10-14 Conference News 14-17 National / Global News 18 ON THE COVER The Current (USPS 014-964) is published Send materials to: monthly by the Illinois Great Rivers Rev. Linda Vonck, pastor of 8 P.O. Box 19207, Springfield, IL 62794-9207 Conference of The UMC, 5900 South or tel. 217.529.2040 or fax 217.529.4155 Midland UMC in Kincaid, shares Second Street, Springfield, IL 62711 a moment with Lou Dees and her [email protected], website www.igrc.org granddaughter, Ali, as they eat a An individual subscription is $15 per year. Periodical postage paid at Peoria, IL, and meal at the shelter in the church’s The opinions expressed in viewpoints are additional mailing offices. those of the writers and do not necessarily basement. The village sustained POSTMASTER: Please send address reflect the views of The Current, The IGRC, changes to significant damage when the South or The UMC. Fork River overflowed its banks, The Current, Illinois Great Rivers causing damage to 30 to 40 homes Communications Team leader: Paul E. Conference, Black Team members: Kim Halusan and P.O. Box 19207, Springfield, IL 62794-9207 in this community of 1,500. Four Michele Willson deaths were reported in the area where persons attempted to drive on flooded roads and were carried away by the current. Photo by Bunny Wolfe, 6 IGRC Coordinator of Mission and Outreach IGRC’s best kept secret: Your church has FREE Current subscriptions! Due to the faithful payment of apportionments of our churches, free subscriptions to The Current are available to each IGRC congregation. The bad news? One-half of those subscriptions go unclaimed! Pastors: Check the list of subscribers to The Current for your church by visiting www.igrc.org/subscriptions. Select the District, Church and enter the church’s six-digit GCFA number. Print subscriptions are based upon a church’s average worship attendance with every church guaranteed a minimum of four subscriptions. Members can also subscribe to the electronic version of The Current and there is no limit on the number of electronic subscriptions a church may have. Merely send those names, email addresses and the corresponding church to Michele Willson at [email protected] or by calling Michele at 217-529-3122. 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: David Elliot Rose to Granite City Dewey Ave. NEWS UMC, Mississippi River District, effective Jan. 1. From The Episcopal Office Granite City Good Shepherd UMC had its final Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton service Jan. 1 with an official closing date of March 1. Change of status Minister of Mission Expansion Margaret Ann Jessup, Springfield Douglas Ave. East Bay Camp UMC Associate Pastor, Sangamon River District, A good name Hudson, IL increase from ½ to ¾ time, effective Jan. 1. Illinois Great Rivers Annual Confer- in Old Mutare, March 2014. Proverbs ence (IGRC) or its predecessor bodies, 22:1 said it best: “A good name is more The Minister of Mission Expansion is a ministry development position aimed at expanding the missional Kathy King-Nobles, Decatur First UMC the former Central Illinois and Southern desirable than riches; to be esteemed is Associate Pastor, Sangamon River District, relevance, effectiveness, and use of Illinois Great Rivers Illinois conferences and their lay, clergy better than silver or gold.” Conference camping and retreat ministries by: increase from ¼ to ¾ time, effective Jan. 1. and episcopal leaders have earned a good At the 2014 Annual Conference, name around Africa University. we reaffirmed our desire to go deeper, to 1. cultivating relationships with clergy, local church D. David Joyce, discontinuation of part-time leaders, IGRC ministry areas, and non-profits Over 100 years ago, missionary raise FUNDS that would go further than local pastor, Spoon River District, effective Nov. engaged in transformational ministries Bishop Joseph Crane Hartzell, native of a one-time gift. Like the Nobel Prizes 16, 2015. Moline, dreamed of children coming which have been distributed for more 2. listening deeply to missional needs of local churches, Ann Hinds, discontinuation of part-time local from all over Africa to get an educa- than 100 straight years from an Endow- conference and district ministries, and the world pastor, Kaskaskia River District, effective Dec. tion to lead Africa into the 20th century. ment Fund, we created the Africa Univer- community, particularly children and youth 31, 2015. Groundbreaking occurred in 1991 and up sity Endowment Scholarship Fund. 3. partnering with local churches, IGRC entities, and other non-profits engaged in transformational Assigned or Supply not appointed came Africa University. When we raise $1 million by the Bishop David Lawson (1992-1996) 2016 Annual Conference, we will educate ministries to design relevant programs in retreat Rick A. McDaniel to Geneseo First UMC prepared a mission statement for the EIGHT STUDENTS ANNUALLY for settings Associate Pastor, Spoon River District, effective School of Theology that became the mis- the life of the institution. I’ve said, “till 4. developing and overseeing staff and other site Jan. 2. sion statement for the University. Retired Jesus comes.” We have FIVE months left resources for the fulfillment of the mission Steve Harder to Five Points Parish Associate engineer Dick Reeves of Decatur and his in our two-year campaign to raise about 5. assessing the fruitfulness of the ministry. gifted spouse oversaw the construction 65% of our total. I have asked my District Pastor, Embarras River District, effective Jan. 1. QUALIFICATIONS: of 19 buildings on the campus of Africa Superintendents to contact every church Wayne C. Giermann to Saybrook Wesbein UMC, University (AU). On campus, Reeves was about its fair share goal. A few of you I 1. Credentialing as clergy and commitment to Vermilion River District, effective Dec. 1, 2015. often referred to as Mr. Africa University. will call at random, so be prepared for my Wesleyan theology and practice 2. Vision, energy, and passion for camping, retreat, and Through the fund raising efforts of call and how you’ll help us reach our goal outdoor ministries. the Central Illinois Conference, Bishop by Annual Conference. Deaths 3. Drive for quality, mission-driven ministry. Woodie White (1984-1992) and Mrs. Kim You’ve heard the saying, “A mind is 4. Welcoming spirit of radical hospitality. Active pastor Jeffrey White had a bridge built and dedicated in a terrible thing to waste.” Make my joy 5. Relational skills to connect with and serve needs R. Robbins, 58, died their honor circa 1994. Reeves drew the complete. With God’s help and yours, we of churches and organizations in transformational suddenly Jan. 16 in architectural plans for the bridge. Annual will finish this campaign on time. No, I ministries. Galesburg. and endowed scholarships were provided don’t want to wear my RED FLANNELS 6. Communication skills to lead worship, preach, and for high school students who had the at Annual Conference. But I will sit at present in local churches. He was the pastor of desire but no financial ways and means to the piano and sing two gospel hymns, 7. Ability to work with groups, people of many races the Abingdon UMC in attend college. one a bit stoic; the other more lively with and ethnicities, and individuals of varied ages. Abingdon. He formerly served Oquawka, You, IGRC, have opened the way humming perhaps, a patting of the feet, 8. Creative programming skills including experience and the ability to lead. Gladstone and Biggsville. for these students to help transform their and if moved, finish with expressions of 9. Ability to manage systems (financial and His wife, Roberta Robbins, survives. Condo- own countries and the world. pneuma based on visitation of the same, operational) and people. Yes, I read about your good name all to the BEST name. “There is no other lences may be mailed to her at 405 N Wash- 10. Ability to supervise support staff. in The Current and other places. But name on earth or in heaven whereby ington Street, Abingdon, IL 61410-1322. 11. Computer literacy, including word processing and faculty, staff and students told me about humankind can be saved other than the data management. A full obituary may be found at the follow- your good name when four IGRC persons name of Jesus.” 12. Ability to satisfy the requirements of the Illinois and ing address and notes for the family may be (including myself) attended the 20th An- Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton federal regulatory agencies, including the following: posted there. niversary Celebration of Africa University U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife; Occupational, Safety, and Health Agency (OSHA); Illinois http://www.lunningfuneralchapel.com/ Department of Health; Jackson County Department obituary/147290/Rev-Jeffrey-Robbins/ of Health; Environmental Protection Agency; Illinois Conover named executive secretary to bishop Environmental Protection Agency, Division of Water Retired Pastor Ray SPRINGFIELD – Carol Conover of Mason most recently, as office administrator for Pollution Control; all federal/state employment Kelley, Jr., 88, died Dec. City has been named as executive secre- SIU School of Medicine in the Center for laws; and the American Camping Association (ACA). 21, in Belleville. tary to Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton. Clinical Research. 13. Possesses or has the ability to obtain certifications in the following areas: Conover began work in the She is a certified lay servant and He served local churches A.
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